DUSHANBE, September 17, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Limited liability company Gazpromneft-Tajikistan, which is an affiliate of Russia''s state-controlled gas company Gazprom, stopped selling 92-octane gasoline as its high-octane gasoline stocks ran out, the source in Gazpromneft-Tajikistan told Asia-Plus on Saturday, September 17.

According to him, the company is currently selling only the 80-octane gasoline and diesel fuel.  “Lack of other grades of gasoline has not affected its prices,” the source said, noting that they hope the next consignment of gasoline will arrive in the country by September 18 or 20.

Refueling stations operated by limited liability company Gazpromneft-Tajikistan limited high-octane gasoline sales on September 5.  The refueling stations limited their sales to not more than 20 liters per a person and the source in Gazpromneft-Tajikistan told Asia-Plus on September 13 that they have high-octane gasoline stocks for only two or three days.

We will recall that when Russia cancelled Tajikistan''s tax exemption on May 1, 2010, Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov sent a letter to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin asking for the tax-free status to be restored.

Russia, however, continues raising export duty on light oil.  By Russian government’s decree export duty on light oil is raised from US$293.60 per ton to US$297.50 beginning on September 1, 2011.  The export duty for gasoline is also raised by 1.3 percent – from US$394.40 to US$399.70.

In July and August the Russian government lowered export duty on light oil and gasoline.  On July 1, the export duty on light oil was reduced from US$309.60 to US$298.20 per ton and the export duty for gasoline was reduced from US$415.80 to US$400.50 and on August 1, the export duty on light oil was reduced from US$298.20 per ton to US$293.60 and the export duty for gasoline was reduced from US$400.50 to US$394.40.

The Russian government has regulated the export duty on light oil since the beginning of this year.  A sudden spike was reported in May, when export duty for Russian gasoline rose 44 percent as compared with April.

Introduction of export duty on Russian light oil has led to considerable increase in gasoline prices in Tajikistan.

According to the Antimonopoly Agency of under the Government of Tajikistan, Russian oil products now account for 90 percent of Tajikistan’s fuel imports.

Gazpromneft-Tajikistan reportedly dominates Tajikistan’s fuel market, accounting for 35 percent of gasoline deliveries to the country.  Local companies Anahito and Nouri Dilshod account for 10 and 9 percent of gasoline deliveries to Tajikistan respectively.

The Anahito deputy director general, Nourali Begnazarov, told Asia-Plus on September 17 if the tax-free status is restored the price of Russian gasoline will fall at least 30 percent – from 6.50 somoni to 4.50 per liter.  “If necessary measures are not taken, gasoline prices may rise to 10.00 somoni per one liter,” he noted.