Russian oil companies can't fix refineries as sanctions cut off access to parts

According to Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov, disruptions at oil refineries are linked to problems with equipment supplies, which have fallen under European sanctions imposed in the first package following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“Why are there sometimes disruptions? Because now, under the sanctions regime we’re in — let’s say, four months are planned for repairs, but something was delayed, something was not delivered,” Tsivilyov said.

He added that due to the sanctions, “the deadlines” for refinery repairs are being pushed back.

Last year, oil refining volumes at Russian refineries fell to a 12-year low after a series of strikes by Ukrainian drones disabled at least 10 of the country’s largest plants, some of which were forced to sit idle for months.

The difficulties with repairs stem from the fact that Russian refineries are critically dependent on imported equipment. Many were built and modernized with the help of European and American companies such as UOP and ABB, which supplied technology and software for each of the 40 largest plants.

It was previously reported that Russia may reduce oil production due to U.S. sanctions and ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks on its refineries.