Urals crude is a mix of various grades of Russian oil that trades at approximately $4 per barrel less than Azeri light. It was the mixing of Urals crude with Azeri light in Novorossiysk that reduced the value of the northern flow of oil, causing the cancellation of the use of the pipeline. After Azerbaijan announced its suspension of the northern deliveries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev revoked the intergovernmental agreement that had authorized the northern use of Baku-Novorossiysk.
The discussions on the possible reversal of flow in the pipeline was originally announced by the head of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev. The talks should be completed by the end of the year. The announcement may have been premature, however: the pipeline is controlled by the Russian pipeline company, Transneft, who had not been advised of the developments. According to Mikhail Barkov, Vice President of Transneft, no one had coordinated anything with the company. Barkov expressed concern that the plans might adversely affect Lukoil, which uses a portion of the pipeline to pump crude from Makhachkala to Novorossiysk.
Rosneft President Igor Sechin, possibly the most powerful oligarch in Russia today, hinted that the Abdullayev report might be correct. Speaking to reporters, Sechin noted the pipeline was originally constructed with a southern flow in mind. "Use of all possibilities is simply the effective work in the market," he said.
Transneft President Nilolay Tokarev noted that Rosneft has a refinery on the island of Sardinia, which would probably be the destination of the oil to be shipped from Ceyhan. Speaking on the Russian television channel Russia 24, he pointed out that the Transneft system through Russia would cost Rosneft $45 less than use of the BTC. (He possibly was referring to a metric ton, but it is unclear from the text).
The future of Baku-Novorossiysk thus requires two sets of negotiations: SOCAR/Rosneft, and Rosneft/Transneft. The latter may be adversely affected by difficulties between the two Russian companies arising from investment requirements for the expansion of the Eastern Siberia/Pacific Ocean pipeline. Flows to the Mediterranean and flows to the Pacific have become interrelated.
