Lukoil Halts German Deliveries

摘要

Lukoil, Russia's second largest oil producer, has halted shipments of crude oil to Germany for the month of February following a renewed pricing dispute with Sunimex, the sole buyer of Russian crude for German refiners, a Lukoil spokesman said February 19. "The price did not suit us," the spokesman said when asked why supply had been cut. He added supply could restart in March, but that "it all depends on conditions."rnLukoil reduced supplies of crude to two German refineries six months ago, highlighting difficulties with Sunimex. A source close to Lukoil said February 19 that the company may be working to sidestep the intermediary. "Ideally, Lukoil would prefer not to sell any volumes [under the current terms]," the source said. "They [Lukoil] are not the biggest supplier, so we can get the oil through other sources. We have alternative arrangements," said a spokeswoman for BP.