Oil to be pumped via Transneft’s pipeline system could remain flat y-o-y in 2009

Oil volumes to be pumped via Transneft’s trunk pipeline system could remain flat y-o-y in 2009, a source close to the company said. “There were fears that at some point oil volumes could drop by 30 mn tons. However, based on applications received from oil companies, the volume is 7 mn tons lower than in 2008” –the source noted. In addition, the company expects to see incremental volumes from Rosneft due to the commissioning of the Vankor field and from Tatneft as a result of the scheduled commissioning of a new refinery. Meanwhile, as reported earlier, if oil prices remain at the current level, crude oil output in Russia could drop by 16 mn tons.