MOSCOW, April 28 (UPI) -- Exports of gasoline from Russia will stop in May to address rampant shortages in parts of the country, a deputy energy official said.
Moscow is keeping fuel prices suppressed ahead of parliamentary elections in December and the presidential contest next March.
Some gasoline stations in Russia that aren't owned by major oil companies are running out of gas and many cities, including St. Petersburg, reported dwindling supplies, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reports.Russian Deputy Energy Minister Sergei Kudryashov said Russia might have to stop exporting fuel products to address domestic demand.
"I think we must satisfy the need at the expense of cutting exports," he was quoted as saying. "We have agreed now that oil companies will supply all their oil products to the domestic market.
High energy prices in foreign markets meant many Russian energy companies were looking beyond the domestic market.
The Siberian transportation sector was hit hard by the shortages, with as much as 30 percent of the public transportation fleet idled. Harvest season is expected to strain gasoline demand further.
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Res...orts-in-May/UPI-88831303994503/#ixzz1KsnVlZ12
