Belarus to demand compensation from Russian Transneft for low-quality oil
Belarusian Concern Belneftekhim will demand compensation from Russian company Transneft for a low-quality oil delivery, said the Concern’s chairman Andrei Rybakou, reports BelTA.
“All possible consequences will be discussed with Transneft at the upcoming meeting. The Belarusian side will insist on working out compensation mechanisms,” Rybakou said. “The oil must be replaced with a quality product that does not contain more than the permissible concentration of organochlorine. We are working on this and waiting for updates from the Russian side,” the chairman noted.
“We have concluded agreements with the Belarusian side for pumping oil which stipulate, among other things, how to proceed in case there is an excess of organic chlorides in the oil. We will act in accordance with these agreements”, said Transneft representative Igor Demin as quoted by RBC news agency.
“It was revealed on the evening of April 19 that low-quality Urals oil was being exported from Russia. The Mozyr Oil Refinery was the first to announce the receipt of low-quality oil. Some samples showed an excess of organochlorine compounds that amounted to 100 times the accepted norm. These compounds can spoil heat-exchange equipment and catalyst systems, their repair can take six months and more, and the damage can cost hundreds of millions of dollars,” Rybakou stressed.