According to newsnow.co.uk, from Feb. 5, the European Union, the G-7 and its allies will attempt to impose a cap on the price of Russia’s fuel exports the latest punishment for its invasion of Ukraine. That will coincide with an EU prohibition on almost all imports of Russian oil products.
Similar measures are already in place on the country’s crude shipments, but it is the cap and ban on refined fuels and in particular diesel that has some oil-market watchers concerned about the potential for price spikes. Prior to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was Europe’s largest external supplier of the fuel and the continent has continued to buy in big volumes right up to the cutoff. As a result, the sanctions are likely to see a great rerouting of global diesel flows aided by Russia’s new crude buyers sending fuel back to Europe. In the short-term, there’s a risk of higher prices.
“The loss of Russian barrels is huge and replacing them will be a huge logistical challenge,” said Keshav Lohiya, founder of consultant Oilytics. “But the market is pricing in less panic as markets and trade flows have proven resilient. This will be a new rerouting of diesel.”