The amount of utilization at Russian oil refineries in 2020 fell to a minimum in 10 years.

The restrictions, which were imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, have reduced fuel consumption. Left without orders, many factories were forced to go for long repairs. Last year oil supplies to Russian refineries fell through the Transneft system by 12.5 million tons (to 233.65 million tons). The export alternative has become more attractive for refineries than the domestic market, according to the experts.

Gasoline reserves at Russian refineries have become the lowest in six years since 2015. They fell by 27 percent (to 1.2 million tons). The Ministry of Energy recommended oil companies to increase their reserves at refineries by one-third (up to 1.8 million tons) by May of this year in order to maintain a stable fuel supply situation.