Germany has been informed that no Kazakh crude oil may reach the northeastern PCK Schwedt refinery from May, the country’s economy ministry said on Wednesday, adding that even in such a scenario the production of petroleum products was not at risk.
Three industry sources had told Reuters on Tuesday that Russia is set to stop oil exports from Kazakhstan via the Druzhba pipeline starting from May 1, which would directly hit PCK, one of Germany’s biggest refineries that also supplies Berlin.
The ministry, which controls Schwedt via a trusteeship, said Schwedt’s majority owner Rosneft ROSN.MM had informed it about the step, adding that the Russian government had not yet confirmed this.
“Rosneft Deutschland is currently assessing the implications and will adapt to any new situation,” Germany’s Economy Ministry said in a statement.
“Rosneft Deutschland is aware of its responsibility to the region and will fulfil its obligations. At the same time, existing options will be utilised to ensure security of supply in Germany.”
The ministry said the absence of Kazakh oil deliveries to the refinery did not “ultimately jeopardise the security of supply of petroleum products in Germany”.
Rosneft Deutschland was not immediately available for comment.
(Reuters)