... limit price increases for these grades. Additionally, trading liquidity for AI-98 on exchanges is significantly lower than for AI-92. As a result, the primary sales channel for AI-98 consists of direct shipments from refineries to oil depots and gas stations, bypassing the exchange. This leads to lower competition in the AI-98 distribution chain compared to AI-92, contributing to the accelerated price growth. According to analysts at OPEN OIL MARKET, the risks of price increases could be mitigated by boosting production of petroleum products. However, this is challenging due to sanctions on equipment supplies for refineries. As a result,...

... "Open Oil Market" petroleum products marketplace (a resident of Skolkovo), shared with RIA Novosti. Earlier on Tuesday, the Kommersant newspaper, citing calculations by the Petromarket Group, reported that despite a decline in wholesale gasoline prices in September, gas station operators have been incurring losses from selling AI-95 gasoline for the third consecutive month. At the same time, the "economics of AI-92 sales, although worsened, remains positive." Meanwhile, the price of gasoline on the St. Petersburg ...

... and diesel. Most gasoline in Russia is allocated for domestic use, with only about 15% exported, while around half of diesel is sent abroad. The ban was briefly lifted in May but reinstated in August after a price surge due to seasonal demand and oil price hikes. According to Dmitry Gusev, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the “Reliable Partner” association and member of the "Russia's Gas Stations" contest advisory board, reopening gasoline exports is justified due to the end of peak demand season and Russian refineries' production capabilities. The government retains the option to reinstate the ban if prices rise. Gusev emphasizes ...

... in retail fuel prices continues to slow down. According to Rosstat data, from August 20 to 26, gasoline prices rose by 0.2%, while diesel prices increased by 0.1%. This is lower than a month ago: from July 16 to 22, the cost of gasoline and diesel at gas stations increased by 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively. The Ministry of Energy commented to RIA Novosti that prices are influenced by a combination of factors, ranging from seasonal demand to market conditions, and sufficient fuel reserves have been built up ahead of the fall season. However, according to Tereshkin, the "crisis hotspot" remains ...

... seasonal demand during the vacation period and rising oil prices at that time. According to Dmitry Gusev, deputy chairman of the supervisory board of the "Reliable Partner" association and a member of the expert council of the "Russian Gas Station" competition, the end of the high-demand season and the production capabilities of Russian refineries make reopening exports justifiable. If prices rise rapidly, the government retains the right to reimpose the ban. Current gasoline production volumes are being monitored, and they should be sufficient for both domestic consumption and export. Gusev emphasizes that the sole condition for ...