MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia’s Orsk oil refinery resumed full operations early on Tuesday after flooding in the region caused a two-week suspension, two sources close to the matter told Reuters.
The refinery declared force majeure on April 8 and was expected to start fuel production on April 19.
Floods engulfed cities and towns across Russia and Kazakhstan on Wednesday after Europe’s third-longest river burst its banks, forcing about 110,000 people to evacuate and swamping parts of the Russian city of Orenburg.
Forteinvest, the Orsk refinery operator, declined to comment.
Forteinvest shut the plant on April 8 to avoid environmental risks and ensure labour safety. Last year the refinery processed 4.5 million metric tons (90,000 barrels per day) of oil.
One source said Forteinvest will first supply fuel to fulfil required sales via Saint-Petersburg Exchange to domestic market and then under export contracts.
(Reporting by ReutersEditing by David Goodman and David Evans)
