Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, several Western countries, notably the United States, implemented full bans on Russian energy imports, while major European economies reliant on Russian oil and gas have avoided harsh steps, demonstrating the European Union’s division.
In the aftermath of Russia’s assault, which has produced the world’s largest refugee crisis in decades, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States have all prohibited the import of Russian oil.
So far, the EU’s 27 members have been unable to agree on an embargo, with Germany cautioning against taking premature measures that could send the economy into recession and certain nations, such as Hungary, rejecting any prohibitions.
An EU ban would require the consent of all 27 member states.
Many European buyers have consciously avoided Russian crude to prevent potential reputational harm or legal issues.
Others, such as commodity dealers Trafigura and Vitol, have maintained long-term commitments to acquire Russian crude.
Both, though, told Reuters that no fresh arrangements had been reached since Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a “special military operation.”
India and China have continued to buy Russian crude despite the fact that they have declined to denounce Russia’s activities.
A Bulgarian refinery operated by Russia’s Lukoil continues to refine Russian crude, with Russian crude accounting for around 60% of its input.
Russian crude continues to account for around 14% of the crude intake at Miro, Germany’s largest refinery, which is owned by Rosneft to the tune of 24%.
The PCK Schwedt refinery in Germany, which is owned by Rosneft to the tune of 54 percent, obtains crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
Pertamina
PT Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, is considering importing crude oil from Russia to supply a newly renovated refinery.
Leuna
The Druzhba pipeline also feeds the landlocked Leuna refinery in eastern Germany, which is majority-owned by TotalEnergies.
Petroleum Hellenic
About 15% of the crude used by Greece’s largest oil refinery comes from Russia. Saudi Arabia sent extra supplies to the corporation earlier this month.
ISAB, Italy’s largest refinery, processes Russian and non-Russian crude and is owned by Lukoil-controlled Litasco SA in Switzerland.
MOL
The Druzhba pipeline continues to supply the Hungarian oil business, which operates three refineries in Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia. Sanctions on Russian oil and gas are opposed by Hungary.
Refinery of Zeeland
Lukoil owns 45 percent of the Dutch refinery and has refused to say whether it uses Russian crude oil.
Refinery in Rotterdam
Exxon Mobil rer to comment on whether Russian crude oil was used at its Rotterdam plant in the Netherlands.
According to trading sources last week, Hindustan Petroleum, India’s state refiner, purchased two million barrels of Russian Urals for loading in May.
According to trade sources, India’s biggest refiner purchased three million barrels of Urals from Vitol on March 23 for delivery in May. IOC has purchased Urals for the second time since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
After a year, Nayara Energy, an Indian private refiner owned in part by Russia’s Rosneft, has purchased Russian oil from trader Trafigura, purchasing around 1.8 million barrels of Urals.