Construction of third oil refinery in Belarus still on agenda

The construction of the third oil refinery in Belarus is still being discussed, BelTA learned from Alexander Pasechnik, head of the analysis division of the National Energy Security Fund (Russia), during a specialized conference in Minsk on 14 April.

“The possibility is still being discussed. Belarus may get the third oil refinery. The question is who will supply the oil [that the refinery needs],” said the expert. Oil from Kazakhstan was contemplated earlier as the source of raw materials for the third oil refinery, he specified.

Yet Alexander Pasechnik pointed out that the possibility of the project getting implemented now is quite small due to the state of affairs in the economy of Belarus and Russia, including in view of the ruble devaluation and tax adjustments in the Russian oil industry. “It is necessary to approach the matter very carefully,” said the expert.

At present there are two oil refineries in Belarus. Mozyr Oil Refinery was commissioned in 1975. The Novopolotsk-based oil refinery was commissioned in 1963 and is now known as OAO Naftan. In 2014 Belarusian oil refineries processed 22.3 million tonnes of raw materials, 5.4% up from 2013.