Russia Cracks Down on Oil Refining Data Amid Global Tensions

Russia has implemented restrictions on the public release of oil refining and export data. According to a decree signed by Putin on September 28, companies are no longer allowed to share information on their operations, including contract details, tanker routes, and vessel coordinates at export terminals.

The restrictions also apply to customs statistics and planned sales volumes on commodity exchanges. Companies may choose to disclose their own figures, but the Russian government will determine which product codes are subject to these restrictions within ten days.

The Kremlin claims that this decision is in response to actions by Washington and its allies, which Moscow considers unfriendly. Oil production data has been classified since 2014 after the annexation of Crimea, and further restrictions were imposed following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russia's oil refining has seen a significant decline, with International Energy Agency data showing that by June this year it had dropped to 3.8 million barrels per day, 30% less than last year and the lowest figure in over two decades. Ukrainian drones have attacked an average of one Russian oil refinery every three days since January.