MOSCOW, July 14 – RIA Novosti. Saudi Arabia doubled Russian fuel imports in the second quarter for electricity generation, informs Reuters agency refers to the documents and statements of traders.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, more than doubled Russian fuel imports to power plants in the second quarter to meet summer cooling demand and free up its own oil for export.

According to data obtained by the agency through Refinitiv, Saudi Arabia imported 647,000 tons (48,000 bpd) of fuel oil from Russia through Russian and Estonian ports in April-June this year. Eikon ship tracking system. For the whole of 2021, Saudi Arabia imported 1.05 million tons of Russian fuel oil.

Saudi Arabia has also increased its Russian fuel imports through the Middle East oil terminal in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, the agency citing traders reported. Fujairah received 1.17 million tons of Russian fuel this year, compared to 0.9 million tons in the same period last year. Another 0.9 million tons could be delivered to Fujairah in July alone, bringing total shipments to 2.1 million tons this year, exceeding 1.64 million tons for the full 2021, according to ship tracking data. Most of the fuel oil in Fujairah is sold as fuel for ships, but some is sent to neighboring countries.

The agency adds that the surge in fuel sales to Saudi Arabia illustrates the challenge faced by US President Joe Biden as his administration seeks to isolate Russia and curb energy export earnings. It is also stated that many countries prohibit or discourage purchases from Russia, China, India and some African and Middle Eastern countries, on the contrary, increase imports.