OREANDA-NEWS  Without emergency measures on the part of the authorities, the fuel supply situation in the country may deteriorate markedly, and many independent gas stations will go bankrupt. This was stated in the comments of TASS by the commercial director of the network of petrol stations "Neftmagistral" Sergey Solovyov.

In his opinion, it is necessary either to introduce export duties, or to increase production in order to saturate the domestic market. The expert did not agree with the opinion of the Ministry of Energy that the problem would gradually resolve itself.

Solovyov recalled that the price gap in the foreign and domestic markets is too large, so it is impossible to wait for the situation to improve in the fall or by winter. He promised that first independent gas stations will disappear from the market, and then gasoline will begin to disappear from the gas stations of vertically integrated oil companies (VINK), because they will not have enough fuel either.

The representative of Neftmagistrali stressed that there is already a shortage of supply in a number of regions. In addition to the increase in export volumes, it is affected by repairs at oil refineries, an increase in cargo transportation, as well as the need to meet the needs of new regions.

However, he called the main problem the situation with the damping mechanism, which should compensate oil companies for the lost profits due to the sale of fuel in the country at reduced prices. There is not enough damper now, but from September 1 its size will be cut in half to reduce the burden on the budget. At the same time, gas stations cannot raise retail prices due to the requirements of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), which threatens with fines.

The expert recalled that the gap between the cost at independent gas stations and gas stations of WINKS reaches 3-4 rubles, because the latter can still sell fuel at wholesale prices or even cheaper, compensating for losses at the expense of other departments. As a result, the flow of customers begins, which will lead to the closure of the gas station.

In August, the government began considering restrictions on gray gasoline exports. Among other things, it was reported about the possibility of introducing export licensing in order to cut off illegal exports, but the issue is still being discussed, a decision has not yet been made.

Meanwhile, problems with gasoline are reported in more than ten regions of Russia. The lack of fuel is observed in Astrakhan, Saratov, Samara, Ryazan, Rostov, Novosibirsk and Volgograd regions, Kalmykia, Khabarovsk Krai and Crimea. The Ministry of Energy indicates that gasoline production in the country is at a sufficient level, and a headquarters has been created to correct the situation.