180,000 tonnes: Russia boosts diesel output for US quota

Russian refineries reached 180,000 tonnes of diesel production per day in mid-October, up from 160,000 tonnes in the first half of the month. Industry sources told Reuters that output began climbing after the Russian government approved new export quotas.

The production surge follows a supply deal between the Kremlin and the United States. President Donald Trump stated that Russia must immediately deliver over 300,000 tonnes of diesel, roughly 2.25 million barrels. The agreement requires an additional 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes thereafter.

To facilitate these shipments, Moscow introduced exemptions to the existing diesel export ban on October 1. The government allocated specific quotas to allow fuel to leave the country under the terms of the deal. Officials are expected to maintain the export ban rather than lift it entirely, using quotas to regulate flow while monitoring domestic markets.

Domestic consumption in Russia typically sits at 140,000 tonnes per day during October. This rate is influenced by seasonal factors, including the end of the grain harvest and the close of the summer travel season. With current output at 180,000 tonnes, at least 40,000 tonnes per day are available for export.

This surplus equates to more than one million tonnes per month. Sources noted that neighboring countries may require 200,000 to 300,000 tonnes of this volume. The first tanker under this arrangement departed for New York on October 22, carrying 40,000 tonnes of fuel. That vessel is scheduled to arrive in the United States on November 7.