Russia faces fuel crisis as gasoline exports surge

[phantom power]

MOSCOW, April 27 (Reuters) - Russia, the world's largest oil producer, faces a regional fuel supply crisis that could quickly spread after an order by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to curb domestic pump prices led oil firms to increase export volumes.

Shortages that have been building since Putin told oil firms in February to restrain retail prices came to a head last weekend, when almost all independently owned gasoline stations in the Altai region ran out of fuel.

If they spread, the shortages could eventually hurt the popularity of Putin, who as the head of the government bears direct responsibility for economic policy, months before a presidential election which is due next March.

Motorists in Altai, a Siberian region to the north of Kazakhstan, are now queuing in long lines at stations belonging to major oil companies, primarily Rosneft (ROSN.MM) and Gazprom Neft (SIBN.MM), which are still selling fuel.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/27/russia-fuel-shortage-idUSLDE72C0DI20110427?rpc=401&

[pscot]

1. In the immortal verse of James Taylor

Теперь я не думаю что я был прохладно
Бегают на ископаемого топлива До тех пор,
пока я увидел,
что я делаю Ехал вниз по дороге в руины




Now I used to think that I was cool
Running around on fossil fuel
Until I saw what I was doing
Was driving down the road to ruin