Belarus PM urges to complete upgrade projects at oil refineries in 2015-2016

The modernization of oil refineries in Belarus should be completed in 2015-2016, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said at the meeting of the Board of the Belneftekhim Concern on 29 October, BelTA has learned.

“All the works should be completed within 2015- 2016,” the head of the government said, stressing that these are the issues of national security for Belarus.

Mikhail Myasnikovich tasked the relevant agencies to submit for coordination the schedule for the upgrade projects at oil refineries before 1 November. “A couple of days has left to do everything in time,” he said.

The Mozyr Oil Refinery was commissioned in 1975, while the Novopolotsk Oil Refinery (today Naftan) in 1963. In H1 2014 the Belarusian oil refineries processed 11.4 million tonnes of oil, up 1.2% from the same months in 2013.

According to the Belneftekhim Concern, the technological level and capacities of the Belarusian oil refineries allow for securing the country’s domestic market with quality oil products (not less than Euro 5) and the delivery of up to 1.8 million tonnes of finished motor gasoline to Russia in 2015. In January-September 2014 Belarus sold more than 1.2 million tonnes of oil products to Russia. The sales in 2014 exceeded 1.4 million tonnes.