The rise in gasoline prices in Russia is one of the main topics of discussion. The head of Rosneft named several reasons for the current situation.
Increase in fuel prices from January to November 2018
Gasoline prices continue to rise in Russia. As of the beginning of 2018, according to the Moscow Fuel Association, the average cost of one liter of AI-95 fuel was 40.82 rubles. The cheapest gasoline with the indicated octane number was offered by the petrol station NeftMagistral. The most expensive is Lukoil-Tsentrnefteprodukt.
In November, the situation changed dramatically. The cost of a liter of AI-95 on average increased to 45, 63 rubles. At the same time, the cheapest fuel is offered at RN-Moscow filling stations. The most expensive one is at the Astra gas station.
The reasons for the rise in the price of gasoline according to Sechin
According to the head of Rosneft, Vladimir Sechin, there are three reasons for this situation. The first is the devaluation of the ruble. So, before the dollar was worth 30 rubles; as of June, when the company's annual general meeting of shareholders was held, the currency has risen in price to 64 rubles. In November, the MOEX rate was 67, 18 rubles. per US dollar. Thus, the purchasing power of the ruble has devalued, according to leading news media.
The second reason for the rise in automobile fuel prices is the rise in world oil prices. Since the beginning of 2018, the increase has been 25%, which has led to an increase in the cost of processing. Transport costs also increased, which could not but affect the overall picture.
The third reason stems from the previous one - the unattractiveness of oil refining in Russia. According to Vladimir Sechin, given the current situation, the industry is forced to take the burden on itself.
Perspectives
In order to stop the rise in fuel prices, the Russian government decided to lower excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel from June 1, leaving them at the level of May 30. However, a week later, information appeared about a possible rise in fuel prices up to 100 rubles per liter. The data source was the Independent Fuel Union. According to NTS experts, there was a threat of the existence of about 15 thousand independent gas stations, which could become the reason for the monopolization of the retail fuel market and an inevitable jump in gasoline prices.
Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, in turn, assured that such a situation is impossible, since the Cabinet has all the necessary tools to prevent price increases.
As a result of the transition to manual control of gasoline prices, the situation was significantly stabilized. The corresponding information was confirmed by the Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) Anatoly Golomolzin in mid-June 2018. The rise in fuel prices continued during the first week of the month. However, in the second, a slight decrease in prices was recorded.
