Has Fuel Crisis Ended? Queues Shrink in Arkhangelsk

Residents of Arkhangelsk and Novodvinsk have noticed that queues for gasoline at gas stations are getting shorter. We asked an expert whether the fuel crisis has ended.

Drivers are discussing the situation at gas stations on social media and in private chats. They note that there is fuel at the stations, and far fewer cars than before. However, according to Igor Efremov, commercial director of the Severnaya Imperiya (Northern Empire) gas station chain, it is too early to declare the crisis over.

— I don«t have all the operational information, but I can say that our enemy has not canceled its goal; it is still hitting fuel infrastructure, bombing oil refineries. This past weekend there was a strike on the Noginsk oil depot, which supplies Moscow. This means that the root cause of the fuel crisis has not been eliminated, — the expert says.

The director reports that the situation on the fuel market remains difficult.

— In that case, fuel in the city may appear in waves. Something has arrived now and is being dispensed, but then there could be another pause.

Recall that 92 tank cars of fuel were sent to the Arkhangelsk region. Part of it is to be delivered to remote districts, including Pinezhye, where only two gas stations remain, which temporarily served only special equipment and buses.

In the coming days, the region expects the arrival of new batches of fuel. Authorities report that tank cars are already moving toward Arkhangelsk.

More on the fuel shortage

In recent weeks, searching for gasoline and waiting in line for hours have become commonplace for residents of Arkhangelsk. High gasoline prices have been noted at gas stations in Pinezhye, Onega, Arkhangelsk, and also in the Leshukonsky district (where it is the most expensive — 150 rubles per liter, about $2 at current rates). We spoke with drivers at city gas stations and learned how they have adapted to the new reality.

Meanwhile, at the Tatneft gas station in Arkhangelsk, since July 16, gasoline is no longer sold in canisters. Previously, a limit was in effect — only 20 liters could be dispensed at a time.

In the Onezhsky district, authorities decided to temporarily reduce passenger transport by ships due to a shortage of diesel fuel. Small aircraft in Russia have also faced problems due to the shortage: we found out what is happening in Arkhangelsk.

The authorities of Arkhangelsk published a list of useful services and phone numbers where you can find out about fuel availability at city gas stations. The administration reported whether there is enough fuel to maintain the city.

We are collecting all information about the fuel situation in the Arkhangelsk region in a separate topic.