Reasons for reduction in import of aviation fuel from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan revealed

In 2022, all volumes of aviation fuel (kerosene) imported to Azerbaijan were sold from Turkmenistan, Report informs referring to the Argus agency, which specializes in the oil and gas sector.

Last year Azerbaijan imported 70,600 tons of aviation fuel from this country, which is 4,000 tons or 5.36% less than a year earlier.

In order to stimulate the import of kerosene, the Azerbaijani government abolished excise and customs duties in the second half of the year. This decision is valid until the end of 2023.

During the period of seasonal increase in demand in the country, kerosene consumption increases from 30,000-35,000 tons to 50,000-55,000 tons per month due to an increase in passenger and freight traffic by air. Industry sources believe that spring and summer imports of kerosene help avoid fuel shortages when air travel increases.

In addition, trading companies deliver kerosene of the KO-20 and KT-2 grades from Turkmenistan by tankers for processing at the Baku Oil Refinery and subsequent production of jet fuel of the TS-1 grade. In their opinion, part of this fuel is then exported to Afghanistan. Last year, the supply of kerosene to the Baku Oil Refinery amounted to only about 4,000 tons. A year earlier, this figure was 60,100 tons.

The decline in imports is due to preventive repairs at the Baku Oil Refinery in April-May, as well as a certain decrease in demand for kerosene due to the cancellation of part of passenger flights to Russia and Ukraine in the first half of last year.