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Rush for Russian barrels ahead of 5 Feb cut off

Published by , Editorial Assistant
World Pipelines,


Europe faces a diesel squeeze in the run up to the oil embargo coming into force on 5 February.

Here is Rystad Energy’s oil market note with Senior Vice President, Mukesh Sahdev:

When it comes to diesel, the EU is caught between a rock and a hard place. Europe is in a race to increase diesel stocks as the fear and uncertainty over the February 5 phase out of imports from Russia takes effect.

Europe has been preparing by securing higher imports from the rest of world over the past months. However, there does not seem to be enough to meet current or future demand. Europe’s diesel/components imports from Russia have come down from a peak of 800 000 bbl/d pre-war to the lowest level of 450 000 bbl/d in September.

For October and November, imports are rising to a month average of 600 000 bbl/d. Imports from the rest of the world have doubled from 600 000 bbl/d in January to 1.2 million bbl/d in October, with 60% coming from the Middle East and the rest of Asia. September and October are seasonal months of high diesel demand in Europe followed by a drop with demand usually picking-up in February again. The diesel demand in Europe swings seasonally by 1 million bbl/d across the year, and imports are necessary to manage the swing.

Europe is in a bind as it faces limited import options. A European rush for Russian diesel barrels has emerged during the last few months before the phase out. Europe’s refining system is currently operating at 1 million bbl/d lower level than pre-pandemic and with the loss of Russian crude, the challenges for Europe refining will only increase.

To rise above current 11.5 million bbl/d level of refinery runs would be a challenge compared to the pre-pandemic high of 12.8 million bbl/d. On the other hand, the loss of another 500 000 bbl/d of diesel needs another 1.0 - 1.5 million bbl/d of higher refinery than current levels. This is an impossible target for Europe to achieve; Europe neither has the refining capacity to make diesel nor can it import to plug the hole that will be created by 5 February.

Despite significant correction of 50 - 60 US$/bbl from the peak in June, the average diesel prices are still 50 US$/bbl higher now than pre-pandemic levels. Europe is bracing itself for the long haul with higher diesel prices, and there is no easy solution in sight. Any change in pricing will come from cuts to demand as a result of high prices, rather than the supply side which will remain tight.

Overall, the high diesel price distortion is going to continue and remains a key driver for inflation across all sectors.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/28112022/rush-for-russian-barrels-ahead-of-5-feb-cut-off/

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