Kazakhstan, Astana, Sept. 26 / Trend, D. Mukhtarov /
Suspension of work at Russian refineries for repairs affect the growth of gasoline prices in Kazakhstan, Kazakh Oil and Gas Minister Uzakbai Karabalin said to journalists on the sidelines of the Senate.
"In October, we expect the beginning of the scheduled repairs of such large plants-sources like the Omsk refinery and the Ufa plant. Repairs will last a month. Regarding this, we expect a decline in oil products from Russia. This is a temporary phenomenon. However, to some extent, it may influence prices in Kazakhstan," Karabalin said answering the questions of journalists.
He recalled that Kazakhstan is constantly importing a certain amount of high-octane gasoline from Russia.
"As our plants are not yet capable of ensuring domestic demand for these grades of gasoline," Karabalin said.
According to his information, the volume of imports from Russia annually reaches 800,000-900,000 tons of gasoline.
"We have certain resources, accumulated gasoline and diesel fuel, but all the same, this may not be enough, because our plants just came out of repair. Therefore, we expect a slight increase in prices," he added.
The minister did not specify the size of price increases.
"For now I cannot say for sure, because it also depends on the consumer market, on the amount that we will be able to import finally, prices may rise by 5-7 percent," the minister said.