Supplies of clean Russian oil to Poland, Germany via Druzhba still suspended

Supplies of clean Russian oil to Poland, Germany transported via the Druzhba pipeline in Belarus are still suspended, three trading sources told Reuters on Tuesday. Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Slovakia and other countries halted oil imports via Druzhba last month after finding contaminants that can damage refinery equipment.

The significance of any damage is not yet clear, nor is it known who will foot the bill. Belarus, which processes Russian crude into refined products for sale abroad, estimated its loss from a reduction in product exports at $100 million.

The contamination comes as Russia plans to boost monthly Urals exports to five-year highs in May, a preliminary schedule showed, before the expiry of a deal on output cuts agreed with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

(With inputs from agencies.)