Topic Of The Week
Will Fuel Quality Continue To Be A Sham?
It’s been three years since the Ukrainian government stopped showing interest in what quality of fuel is pumped by almost nine million Ukrainian drivers into the tanks of their «iron horses.» Laboratory quality checks on petrol and diesel ceased, and the companies producing and selling alcohol and petrochemical substitutes were effectively given a green light…
Anti-counterfeit Campaign
The Untouchable Pharaoh
A few weeks ago the tax police of the Melitopol State Tax Inspectorate closed a criminal case on the sale of substandard fuel by the company Faraon. According to official information, the reason to justify the firm’s actions was that the evidence base used by the public prosecutors had «fallen apart.»
Scandals
SCANDAL OF THE WEEK: Group DF To Supply Gas To Odesa Port-Side Chemical Plant Instead Of Naftogaz
Dmitriy Firtash’s Influence Is Growing
Odesa-based port-side chemical plant has signed an agreement to supply 186 million cubic meters of natural gas to Cyprus-based Ostchem Holding Ltd., which is part of Dmitry Firtash’s Group DF. Cooperation between the two companies will continue until April 30, with the value of the contract being $79.98 million…
Forecast
The Same Old Song
The pages of international tabloids are covered with news about the wonders of European unity and speculation about evil Iran, which wants to leap out of the Middle Ages right into the 21st century. The appearance of a new character is annoying under the current circumstances, when the old system of the world economy is being broken down, and the roles are being redistributed.
Unstable Equilibrium
Under economic forecasts given by the Psyche Center on the basis of its regressive analytical model, the price of major petrol brands will grow slightly this week. The average retail price of A-92 and A-95 petrol to DSTU 4063:2001 standards and that of winter-type 0.2-(-25) diesel to DSTU 3868-99 standards will be UAH 10.00, UAH 10.27 and UAH 9.66 per liter respectively. A liter of propane-butane gas will cost UAH 5.72.
Trade
A Calculator For Doubting Thomas
Summing up the outcome of a meeting of a group of experts and analysts on February 17, 2012, those who participated came to the conclusion that there are no conditions for a rapid and speculative growth of retail prices of fuel. Despite the promised halt of Lysychansk oil refinery for repairs in March, there is enough fuel in Ukraine for all consumers, including farmers. However, the local media continue sowing panic, pointing to the inevitable rise in price of petrol and diesel to UAH 12 and higher per liter as early as «by March.» Because sound reasons do not work for some media representatives, it’s time to use a calculator…
Raw Materials
Prospecting For The Family
Nobody disputes the fact that Ukraine should develop production of its own oil and gas. And nobody doubts that the mining industry is a very capital intensive one. As the largest companies in the industry remain in state ownership, the greatest difficulties appear when orders for the provision of services are being distributed.
You can read full articles in journal «Terminal: Oil Review» №8 (594) 27 Feb 2012
