China’s state-owned oil refinery Yanchang Petroleum did not purchase any Russian crude oil in its latest tender for deliveries from December to mid-February, Reuters reported, citing two traders familiar with the matter.
Source: Bukvy
The plant, located in the northern province of Shaanxi, had previously been a regular buyer of Russian ESPO or Sokol crude, typically acquiring about one shipment per month. However, following new Western sanctions against Russian oil exporters — particularly U.S. measures — Chinese state companies have begun avoiding transactions with Russia due to fears of secondary sanctions.
Yanchang Petroleum, with a processing capacity of 348,000 barrels per day and an annual import quota of 3.6 million tons (26 million barrels), is one of the largest inland refineries in China.
The refinery usually receives crude oil through the port of Tianjin, near Beijing, from where fuel is transported by rail. The decision to stop purchasing from Russia likely reflects Beijing’s growing caution amid pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, which has tightened enforcement of energy sanctions against Moscow.
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