The only Georgian refinery refuses Russian oil for the sake of the EU

The Kulevo refinery of the Black Sea Petroleum company plans to abandon Russian oil for access to the EU market, which prohibits the import of petroleum products from raw materials from Russia.

"Starting from August-September of this year, the company will start processing crude oil exclusively of non—Russian origin," Black Sea Petroleum reports.

They explained such a step by the fact that it would open access to high-margin markets for products.

The only one in Georgia's Kulevo refinery was launched last fall and, as Black Sea Petroleum reported in its reporting, all the oil was from Russia. In the first half of the year, the plant processed more than 650 thousand tons of oil.

At the same time, next year the company plans to start production of road bitumen for domestic and export markets, as well as aviation fuel. While the refinery produces naphtha, fuel oil and diesel fuel.

The plant is located on the Black Sea coast and has a short transport shoulder with the EU countries, at the same time exports to the countries The EU is limited, as since January 1, the European Union has banned the import of petroleum products from Russian raw materials.

In May, the head of Black Sea Petroleum, David Potshveria, stated that the refinery plans to receive raw materials, including from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, and Russian oil is planned to be replaced precisely because of sanctions.

For Russian suppliers, Georgia was the closest consumer in terms of delivery, but far from the main one. The Kulevo Refinery accounts for less than 0.5% of Russian oil exports.