Pavlodar and Atyrau refineries skip Russian gasoline exports despite quotas
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Kazakhstan's Pavlodar and Atyrau refineries did not export gasoline to Russia in July and August despite receiving quotas of 17,500 tonnes each. Traders cited payment difficulties through Russian banks, sanctions risks, and high domestic demand. Only the small Kondensat refinery shipped about 9,000 tonnes of K-5 gasoline to Russia.
Key Facts
- Pavlodar refinery received a quota to export 17,500 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline to Russia in July but made no shipments.
- Atyrau refinery received the same 17,500-tonne quota in August and also did not export.
- Kondensat refinery in West Kazakhstan region shipped about 9,000 tonnes of K-5 gasoline to Russia.
- Kazakhstan's AI-92 gasoline stocks reached 272,000 tonnes by August 26, while AI-95 stocks fell to 79,000 tonnes.
- KazMunayGas postponed planned maintenance at Pavlodar refinery from autumn 2026 to March 2027.
Export Quotas Unused
Pavlodar refinery received a quota to export 17,500 tonnes of AI-92 gasoline to Russia in July but made no shipments. Atyrau refinery received the same 17,500-tonne quota in August and also did not export. Four Reuters sources in the refining industry said fuel owners at Atyrau refinery plan to keep gasoline for the domestic market. Only the Kondensat refinery, which processes Tatneft naphtha, exported about 9,000 tonnes of K-5 gasoline to Russia.
Reasons for Withholding
Traders cited difficulties with payments through Russian banks and the risk of Western secondary sanctions. One market participant told Reuters, "Nobody wants to fall under sanctions." Kazakhstan's AI-92 gasoline is priced at $1,100–1,200 per tonne, making it more expensive than Russian fuel after transport costs. Russian retail networks also prefer K-5 (Euro-5) gasoline, while Kazakh AI-92 is K-4 (Euro-4) standard.
Domestic Market Pressure
Kazakhstan's AI-92 gasoline stocks reached 272,000 tonnes by August 26, while AI-95 stocks fell to 79,000 tonnes and diesel to 316,000 tonnes. KazMunayGas postponed planned maintenance at Pavlodar refinery from autumn 2026 to March 2027 to avoid pressuring the domestic market. Traders said high seasonal demand and tight fuel inventories in the region also discouraged exports.
4 sources
Pavlodar and Atyrau refineries skip Russian gasoline exports despite quotas
