Transneft: 4.2 million tons of oil could be transported via Makhachkala-Novorossisk pipeline

Transneft studies the possibility to expand capacities of the Makhachkala port to ensure reception of oil to the Makhachkala-Novorossiysk oil pipeline, Interfax reported citing the statement of Transneft President Nikolai Tokarev.

We have a lot of customers starting from Makhachkala and we also think about expanding of the capacities from Makhachkala to Novorossiysk, he said.

Tokarev added that not only Russian oil, but also oil from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, is transshipped to the Makhachkala port. He added that Transneft has negotiated with Trafigura company, which has offered to take upon itself consolidation of all Turkmenistan deliveries in this direction.

Transneft President explained that a small volume of oil is transited from Turkmenistan. In addition, this small volume was delivered irregularly, which created difficulties for formation of schedules. “The small volumes are irregular. We did not like this instability and we laid claims and then Trafigura showed up.”

Tokarev also said that a group of Summa companies has offered Transneft to build several terminals near the Makhachkala port. “We have received an official proposal, we have not considered it seriously, because we need to be sure that the situation is stable and that Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan will load our capacities,” said the company’s President.

The Makhachkala port is able to receive oil from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Caspian fields of LUKoil. In 2013 4.2 million tons of oil could be pumped via the port, of which 1.1 million tons will fall to the  Russian oil from the Korchagin field and 3.12 million tons – transit oil. 

However, Dagnefteproduct (owned by several physical persons) capacities are used for oil transshipment and storage in the port, but they need reconstruction.—0—