Sources say that the Astrakhan Gas Plant in Russia has ceased operations following a drone attack.
Three industry sources have confirmed that the Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant, owned by energy giant Gazprom in Russia, stopped producing motor fuel after an attack by drones caused a fire on September 22, according to three sources.
The fire was said to have engulfed an entire condensate unit that had a production capacity of three million metric tonnes per year. It produces diesel and gasoline.
The plant near the Caspian sea, about 1,675 km from the Ukrainian border could only resume production within a few weeks or months.
Gazprom didn't immediately respond to a comment request.
Igor Babushkin said in a message sent via Telegram on Monday, that drones had targeted an industrial enterprise. He did not mention the company.
As of Monday, the St Petersburg commodity exchange has ceased selling wholesale fuel parcels produced by Astrakhan.
Early in February, drones also struck the plant and halted fuel production. According to industry sources, the damaged unit resumed operation at the end August.
According to industry sources, in 2024 the plant will process 1.8 million tonnes of stable condensate and produce 800,000 metric tons of gasoline, 600,00 metric tons of diesel, and 300,000 metric tons of fuel oil. Reporting and Editing by Alison Williams
(source: Reuters)
