Bangladesh
Russian Oil Diesel content in Russian crude oil is low, import unprofitable
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, Sept 21: Bangladesh was trying to import Russian crude oil as an alternative source to solve the diesel crisis in the country. Experiments were going on with the Russian proposal. Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) submitted the report to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on Tuesday (September 20). Initially, it was reported that the amount of diesel in Russian crude oil is two-thirds less than crude oil imported from Arab countries. The naphtha quality from crude is also not suitable for making gasoline. Therefore, even if it is at a low price, the Russian crude oil import will be unprofitable, the stakeholders claim.
This information is known from the test report of 50 liters of crude oil sample sent from Russia.
Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the price of petroleum fuel is increasing. Especially in the international market, the prices of all types of fuel, including diesel, and LPG, are increasing.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh was searching for alternatives when the dollar crisis was created in the country amid the continuous rise in the price of the US dollar against the taka. At that time, Russia expressed its interest in providing fuel oil to Bangladesh at a low price. Following this, crude oil sample shipments were sent to Bangladesh. However, the country's energy experts felt that there were several challenges.
Later, the representatives of Bangladeshi agent National Electric BD Limited of Zarubezhnef JSC, a Russian fuel oil supplier, handed over crude oil samples weighing 50 liters in five plastic jars to Managing Director of Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) Mohammad Lokman on September 1.
A five-member committee headed by ERL General Manager (Operation and Planning) Raihan Ahmed was formed. After a long process, the committee completed the sample test at ERL's lab.
A report is prepared under the signatures of all five members of the committee after thoroughly reviewing all the issues in the sample test. The report was submitted to the BPC on Tuesday (September 20) morning.
A senior official concerned said on condition of anonymity that the diesel content in the sample is low. BPC imports Marban Crude and Arabian Light Crude (ALC). Marban and ALC get more than 41-42 percent diesel. 33 percent was found in Russian crude. The amount of naphtha in 'top cut' will also be less. It will also get less petrol. The 'bottom cut' will create the most problems. Here 50 percent will be the bottom cut. It is very difficult to process. This may require modification of some equipment including pumps in the plant. It is very difficult.'
