Is it transit war beginning?

Belarus discusses with Russia the issue of increasing transit rate for Russian oil transportation via Belarus’ territory.

RIA “Novosti” was informed about that by a source in government agencies.

As said by him, the Belarusian side intends to increase rates for Russian oil transit via Belarus by 20%.

“Our proposals are substantiated considering changed conditions of oil pumping, firstly caused by increase in price of energy materials, and they are offered for consideration of the Russian side,” the interlocutor of the agency stated.

As said by him, in late December this issue was already discussed at the talks with representatives of Russia. The interlocutor of the agency stressed that Belarus must coordinate with Russia the rates in the field of oil transit.

In January 2010 the sides agreed upon the mechanism of the rate adjustments in Russian oil deliveries via the system of trunk pipelines. In accordance with the methodology agreed upon by the sides, rates for oil transportation via Belarus should be approved in Russian rubles. The rate is calculated on the basis of Russian oil pumping volume.

“Transneft” sends the Russian side information about the planned volume of oil deliveries to Belarusian oil refineries and of transit for the next year not later than on November 15. In its turn, before November 25 Belarus is to give to Transneft for approval the planned rates. Rates are to be agreed upon before December 25, approved by the Ministry of Economy of Belarus before January 15, and put into force since February 1. In case agreements on the rates are not reached, the Ministry of Economy of Belarus is entitled to increase the existing rates by the level of the average annual inflation factored in the forecast of the social and economic development of Russia, increased by no more than 0.03%.

The document also notes that reconsideration of the rates should have a planned nature and made at least 12 months after the previous reconsideration. Unplanned change of rates could be made when the economic conditions for pipelines of Belarus are changed considerably. At the same time, unscheduled renegotiation of rates could be made before October 1.

Last time rates for Russian oil transit via Belarus were increased by 12.5% since February 1, 2011, both in the European direction and for deliveries to Belarusian oil refineries. Before that the rate was $4.3 per ton.

These rates had been also calculated proceeding from the Methodology of changing rates for oil transit via oil-trunk pipelines of Belarus, rubberstamped in January 2010.