BPC considering Russian diesel, jet fuel import

Bngladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is considering buying discounted diesel and jet fuel from Russia.

The development comes after Russian state-owned company ROSNEFT Oil in the last week of July sent a fresh proposal for exporting refined oil to Bangladesh instead of crude oil.

Quoting officials of the ministry of energy and mineral resources, TDS reported that ROSNEFT is offering diesel at $59 a barrel, which is almost half the price of refined diesel in the international market.

"We are seriously considering the issue in the current global context," TDS quoted a top official of the BPC on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Earlier in June, Russia had approached Bangladesh for purchasing its Urals at a discount.

But the country could not take up on the offer -- like India and China have -- as Eastern Refinery, the lone refinery, is configured to process only crude oil from the Middle East.

Technical experts of BPC and Eastern Refinery are working on the feasibility of importing refined fuel from Russia, according to officials concerned.

ROSNEFT Oil has sent in specifications for diesel, octane and jet fuel.

Officials of BPC and ROSNEFT Oil will meet later this week to take a decision.