PKN Orlen says deterioration in Russian crude quality reaches Poland

Warsaw, April 24 - Neftegaz.RU. According to Platts, Polish refiner PKN Orlen said it is has been advised by Poland's state-owned crude oil pipeline operator PERN of a deterioration in the quality of oil received at the Adamowo entry point on the Druzhba pipeline.

"We expect a full report on the issue, based on which we will decide on what further steps to take," PKN said.

Reports emerged over the weekend that the quality of Russian Urals crude supplied to Belarus had deteriorated. Belarus media reported that the Mozyr refinery is experiencing problems due to the poor quality crude, with heat exchanger tubes at the plant suffering corrosion. The refinery has increased the use of reagents to protect the equipment. Meanwhile Belarus' 2nd refinery Naftan has reduced throughput by 40% to protect equipment.

The Russian energy ministry said that problems with the deteriorating quality of crude exported westward was technical and would be resolved in the near future. The energy ministry said the current quality issues were linked to excess organic chlorides in oil shipped westward. This was discovered by state-owned pipeline operator Transneft which has taken measures to bring levels back to normal, including localizing the source of this higher concentration and redirecting flows.