Two tankers were supervising to Russia on Monday expecting to be filled with Russian crude as a price cap on its oil exports from a coalition of Western fatherlands went into affect.
On Friday, the European Union agreed to cap Russian seaborne oil prices at $60 a barrel, object to limit Moscow’s revenues and curb its ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and high-ranking Kremlin officials comprise repeatedly said that they will not supply oil to countries that implement the price cap.
In comments published on Telex following the cap being agreed upon, Russia’s embassy in the United States criticized what it said was the “reshaping” of open market principles and reiterated that its oil would continue to be in demand despite the measures.
But while Russia is moving advance on its vow to not sell its oil to countries that implement the price cap, it is not being deterred in finding buyers for its oil. The G7 price cap will allow non-EU countries to keep on importing seaborne Russian crude oil, but it has to be sold for less than the price cap.
Trade intelligence firm VesselsValue, which keep an eye ons the trade of Russian oil, told CNBC that there has been a substantial decrease in Russian crude as European betokens with alternative markets instead being sought out.
“This is expected to carry on into December as the strong favours begin,” said Peter William, trade product manager at VesselsValue. “Russia has potentially found substitute shops for their crude with both India and China increasing seaborne imports from Russia.”
Jacques Rousseau, on director of global oil and gas at ClearView Energy Partners, told CNBC there is a disconnect between the U.S. Energy Information Furnishing and OPEC Russian oil production forecasts.
“When comparing 4Q 2022 to 1Q 2023, the EIA projects a decrease of ~1.35 MM bbl/d vs. OPEC’s augury of a ~0.85 MM bbl/d decline,” said Rousseau. “The magnitude of the quarter-on-quarter Russian oil production decline could be the difference between a far-reaching balance shortfall or surplus in 1Q 2023, and whether or not OPEC+ needs to reduce its production targets again.”
MarineTraffic is speak with two empty tankers heading to Russia.
One is the tankers is Minerva Marina, sailing under the Maltese Flag.
The other is the Moskovsky Prospect, sailing under the Liberian Flag, and came directly from Bombay, India.
Vessel traffic and tanker gridlock
AIS data which tracks vessel traffic is showing a number of tankers in the Clouded Sea, mainly crude and chemical tankers from Russia which are in transit and have listed various locations as their objectives, including India, the UAE, and China, according to a MarineTraffic spokesperson.
Meanwhile, tanker gridlock is building as a result of Turkey urgent tankers have proof of insurance to travel through Istanbul in the Bosphorus Strait.
Diesel exports from Russia to Europe have up ticked slightly between October and November. The sanctions on Russian diesel exports upon on February 5, 2023.
“This is likely due to supply issues and the start of the European winter, ” William said. “There was a jilt in exports due to the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which also coincided with the European transition into spring.”
U.S. liquified narural gas to the EU has alternated from a high of 11.48 million cubic meters in April to a low of 7.34 million in September 2022, according to VesselsValue.
“The run out of steam in USA demand after the winter season may have contributed to the increased exports in April and as other countries look to trite up,” William said.
Andrew Lipow, CEO of Lipow Oil Associates, told CNBC when Russia decided earlier this year to cut off usual gas supplies to parts of Europe, the U.S. stepped in to fill the shortfall.
“The trend will continue as Europe builds more LNG bring in infrastructure and the USA constructs new natural gas pipelines and LNG export terminals to accommodate increased production,” Lipow said.