Not feasible:
-only 3 Russian blends are suitable for refinement in pak refineries.
-PNSC cant call on Russian ports so an intermediary is needed
-shipping costs may be up to 10x greater for Russian oil per barrel vs ME oil
-we have long term contracts with the ME for oil
-shipment takes 5-6x longer
-no payment system, ruskies dont want dollars anymore- not like we have any anyway
KARACHI: In separate letters on Friday, oil refineries responded to the Ministry of Energy on the question whether it is possible to import Russian crude, Profit has learnt. In a letter written b
profit.pakistantoday.com.pk
None of the Pakistani refineries can handle 100pc Russian crude of any grade, say sources.
www.dawn.com
KARACHI: Officials at refineries in Pakistan have said given “technical and operational constraints,” the South Asia country can only process up to 30 percent of Russian varieties of crude oil, as Pakistan explores cheaper import options and experts warn a deal with Moscow could become a new...
www.arabnews.pk
our 'analysts' claim its possible whereas our refineries dont want to touch it, it makes little economic sense, i wonder whether we will ever get a proper cost vs benefit analysis, because a 5x longer shipping time will make it difficult to adjust for demand, a new payment system may be complicated and take a long time, shipping costs could very well kill off any benefits there were. Unless im misunderstanding, Ural was less than $20 cheaper per barrel, but if we account for the shipping, intermediary, payment fees in the end i dont think the saving there is worth ruining relationships. On top of that, even at record low prices India paid, they were losing alot of money and their oil companies had to be bailed out by the GOI. I suspect the more suitable blends for our refineries may even have less of a discount ! Oh and these prices im pretty sure were for export to the west, the saudis increased pricing for the west and reduced them for asia