A State Duma deputy has proposed simplifying the rules for using mini-refineries in Russia.

State Duma Deputy Mikhail Delyagin proposed a solution he believes will help alleviate the country's fuel crisis.

The parliamentarian notes that the measures currently being taken by the government primarily focus on managing fuel reserves, but this does not address the problem of insufficient petroleum product production. Moreover, Russia has an abundance of crude oil. Allowing the sale of lower-quality gasoline increases its supply, but Euro-3 instead of Euro-5 is detrimental to modern engines.

The politician sees a solution in changing the rules for the use of small-scale oil refineries (mini-refineries). They are produced in large quantities in China. Such refineries are relatively inexpensive, easy to transport, install, and operate.

However, in Russia, only legal entities that have passed certification, environmental monitoring, and obtained licenses from Rostekhnadzor can legally use such equipment. A small number of mini-refineries exist in the southern regions, but they primarily produce diesel, bitumen, and fuel oil.

A government-level solution is needed to allow small businesses to purchase such units and sell gasoline at gas stations, Delyagin believes. Furthermore, mini-refineries are difficult to detect and, therefore, difficult to attack.

The proposal is far from uncontroversial. Small refineries can indeed produce high-octane gasoline, but this requires more than just crude distillation, but a comprehensive set of technologies for upgrading the feedstock. Furthermore, it's best to install them close to crude oil sources. Otherwise, the resulting fuel may be more expensive than that produced by large refineries, not to mention less qualitative. Unless the government supports the development of such a business, at least in the initial stages, that is.

Comments

[Same lech]

Chechnya has extensive experience using such mini-refineries... dating back to the first and second Chechen campaigns.

[Dzungar]

But the gasoline there was also complete crap.

[Same lech]

Quote: Dzungar

But the gasoline there was also complete crap.

But the income was not weak either...the amounts were in the millions.

[alex-defensor]

Mini-refineries won't offer low market prices. And when large refineries resume normal operations, mini-refineries will be unprofitable.

[hrych]

Quote: alex-defensor

A mini-refinery will not provide a low price on the market.

It's like life is hanging by a thread, but you think about profit. We need to win the war, avoid unrest and economic problems, and then everything else will come later. Delyagin is right, and this is a fairly quick solution. And building our own catalytic cracking columns isn't a huge undertaking. And, of course, the Euro-3 standard is relatively harmful to modern engines, except for the increased emissions. It's an environmental standard and doesn't affect the octane rating. Yes, carbon deposits and sulfur deposits may increase, but, in theory, the electronic fuel and oxygen management systems should be able to cope. On the other hand, we have plenty of old cars that don't mind this at all, and, on the contrary, will be pleased with the price difference and stop consuming Euro-5 fuel. I remember a German friend of mine arriving in his jalopy and immediately driving it onto a ramp, simply removing the catalytic converter so as not to pollute it with our Soviet-era gasoline, and then driving around with a satisfied expression.

[guest]

Quote: hrych

Life hangs by a thread, but you think about profit.

However, this is exactly how our powers that be act.

[Dedok]

This is an environmental standard.and it doesn't affect the octane number. Yes, there is carbon deposits, sulfur deposition may increase, but, in theory, the electronic fuel and oxygen supply control systems should cope.

These are engine life issues: Euro 3 implies a high sulfur content in the fuel, which reduces the life of the fuel system, ignition system, and the life of the engine itself, so talk that this is just an environmental issue is fundamentally wrong.

[alex-defensor]

Quote: hrych

It's like your life is hanging by a thread, and you're only thinking about profit. You need to win the war, avoid unrest and economic problems, and then everything else will come later.

Please understand what I am writing about.

No one disputes that mini-refineries are needed precisely to win the war. After all, war with Europe is certain, even if "some" of us hope to avoid it through cautious actions in the Northeast Asian region, as soon as the Europeans are prepared, they themselves will immediately begin. The year has even been announced: 2030.

I raise the question of who will build and set up these mini-refineries en masse?

If the government is prepared to create some kind of public committee that would build these refineries in Russia on a voluntary basis and with a designated budget, so that they won't be in private hands, then yes, that's the right decision. But if everything goes back into private hands, then some guarantees for the post-war period will have to be provided. The investments are large, and the payback is completely unpredictable, even if war breaks out. And if war breaks out, will these refineries sell fuel, or will they just let them go, "in the name of the revolution"?

Here I am talking about.

[Alexander Sl]

Do you really think that with the transition to Euro 2-3 there will be a difference in price with the former Euro 5? I doubt it.

[Zaurbek]

The income there is quite good, even without taxes... and quality depends on the equipment, which was not available in the Caucasus.
As with alcohol factories, the state does not benefit from a bunch of producers.
So, technology for the 21st century is quite feasible. It's just a question of the ambitions of the market monopolists.

[Dedok]

the state does not benefit from a bunch of producers

or rather:

The question is only in the ambitions of market monopolists.

Yes, the whole problem is a problem of financial flows...

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

It was recently reported that straight-run gasoline produces 60-octane gasoline. It can't be used without additives. And how good it will be with additives is also unclear.

[SergeyB]

Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich

It was recently reported that straight-run gasoline produces 60-octane gasoline. It can't be used without additives. And how good it will be with additives is also unclear.

Even the most modern plants produce mostly only 80 octane gasoline. And without additives, it can't be used! But additives convert it to 92, 95, and so on.
So even 60 gasoline can be made of high quality with the help of additives.

[hrych]

In a cracking column, hydrotreated vacuum gas oil (Fr. 350-500°C) produces a gasoline fraction (91/92 RON) with a yield of 58,62%, along with about 10% propanes and butanes (for gas stations), etc. No additives are required to produce 92 RON gasoline during cracking. Gas oil is a fraction between diesel fuel and kerosene.

[Dedok]

It was recently written that straight distillation produces 60th gasoline.

Don't read stuff like this...
и Hrych wrote correctly:

No additives are required to produce 92 gasoline through cracking.

[Andrey Petrov]

That's it. There were countless of them there.

[alexputnik17]

Unless the state will help develop such a business, at least in the initial stages.

Does the state need it? A private company can't enter large oil refineries.

[Retired senior lieutenant]

Does the state need it? A private company can't enter large oil refineries.

Exactly, this is a real headache for state tax authorities! How can they control a bunch of private excise taxpayers—the main component of the budget revenue mechanism?

...In 2024, the average retail price of a liter of AI-95 gasoline in Russia is approximately 55 rubles. Of this, 45–50% are taxes and fees. Let's break down the structure of these fees to understand where the money goes at each fill-up.
The main tax components in the price of gasoline are excise tax, VAT, and mineral extraction tax (MET). The excise tax on gasoline with an octane rating above 80 is set at 14,500 rubles per ton, which, at a fuel density of 0,75 kg/l, is equivalent to 10,88 rubles per liter. VAT at 20% is calculated on the sum of the cost price, excise tax, and trade markup, adding another 8-10 rubles to the price per liter. The MET, which depends on global oil prices, averages 5-7 rubles per liter.

Remember the 90s, with private distilleries and their owners evading taxes? Wine and vodka were solved with excise stamps. But how will this issue with motor fuel be resolved? Are gasoline and diesel fuel really going to be sold in canisters sealed with excise stamps?!

[Dedok]

That's right, for state tax authorities this is a complete headache!

What does Taxes have to do with this???
Remember the Ulyukaev case, his portfolio - was it filled with taxes?

[Eugene 62]

The primary opponents of mini refineries will be large vertically integrated fuel companies. Small businesses will create competition for them in the future. Therefore, I suspect the Duma will not support Delyagin's proposal.

[Ovsigovets]

Large companies may be at the forefront of building these mini-refineries

[Eugene 62]

Well, that's if they belong to the executives of these large companies. And the oil will flow to them from the same pipelines.

[Ovsigovets]

What difference does it make to us? Look at the prices of gas stations for chain companies and private gas stations, and you'll see the difference... Well, if Rosneft has another 30-40 mini-refineries, I think they'll manage them somehow.

[alexoff]

These large companies won't be able to compete with anyone at this rate - there won't be anything left to compete with.

[Kotofeich]

Quote: Eugen 62

The primary opponents of mini refineries will be large vertically integrated fuel companies.

Large companies are currently suffering significant losses. Delyagin is currently exploring the possibility of large companies purchasing mini-refineries, possibly at the expense of the state.

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Eugen 62

Small businesses will create competition for them in the future. So, I suspect the Duma won't support Delyagin's proposal.

No normal person would vote against their own pocket.

Relatively recently, the Duma rejected a bill against shrinkflation, "on a liter of milk and a kilogram of buckwheat." This suggests that those who voted "no" are somehow tied to this process—otherwise, why wouldn't they have passed a law popular with voters if it didn't cost them anything?

And it's the same here – they'll get away with it, no doubt about it. The deputies' avenues of interest vary, from two or three private gas stations and "a good man asked" to direct bribes from major oil and gas players. But I'm sure everyone can be interested.

[Zaurbek]

Yes, this means that there will be a bunch of independent gas stations with their own gasoline.

[Tagan]

Mini refineries will primarily be opposed by large vertically integrated fuel companies. Small businesses will create competition for them in the future.

How? What are their competitive advantages—price, quality, volume, cost? They likely won't be able to match any of them.

[Sotskiy]

And it is best to install them near sources of crude oil.

Should we revive pipeline connections like in the 90s?
Capitalism is definitely happiness, awesome, or to each according to the degree of greed - from each according to their naivety!

[andrey martov]

Wow! The deputy is attacking nothing less than Russia's natural national wealth in monopolies.

[Same lech]

Quote: Andrey Martov

Wow! The deputy is taking aim at nothing less than natural monopolies.

Monopolies deal with such brave souls using harsh methods, including the use of administrative resources from security forces... they are encroaching on what is sacred.

[rostov-dad]

Well, yes, for some it's war, but for others it's a mother's own! It would be better if our government removed the recycling fee and customs clearance from electric cars.

[Vladimir M]

The politician sees a solution in changing the rules for the use of small-tonnage oil refineries (mini-refineries)

Does Misha Delyagin at least understand that these mini-refineries will be churning out such "machmala" that Euro 3 will be a blessing.

[Zoldat_A]

Otherwise, the resulting fuel may turn out to be more expensive than that produced by large factories, not to mention the quality.

Our oil and gasoline profiteers will ensure that gasoline produced "at home" conditions is no more expensive than gasoline from large refineries. They will maintain prices at the new level to which we are gradually being brought. But these "homegrown" bakeries Oil refineries are also not a solution - they will be reduced to nothing by certification and taxes.

As a builder, it turned out to be very profitable for me at the time to purchase a couple of stationary mortar units and several mobile mortar stations, which can be installed in a week and allow me to maintain very competitive prices due to the cost of concrete and mortar.
From this perspective, it might be profitable to have such a diesel "samovar" on the farm—there's a lot of equipment. But I think the additional costs would wipe out any profit from this setup.

So, these mini-refineries are probably a good thing. But "not with our luck" (c). In our conditions, it'll be nothing but a headache.

[Alexander X]

Allow these small plants to be installed, at least for large producers who have been "burned out," by simplifying the bureaucratic red tape. I think these little plants will come in handy until the main equipment is repaired. Especially since they already have all the necessary infrastructure, from railways, power grids, storage tanks, and so on.
I don't think they'll give it to small producers, because they're competitors...
Or maybe the military should be provided with such factories as a strategic reserve...

[Million]

It will be junk, not gasoline.
With all due respect to Delyagin, the proposal is bad.

[pharmacist]

That's the thing: getting high-quality fuel from refineries like these isn't the same as distilling moonshine. Euro 3 will seem like heavenly elixir for your engine. I'd rather stand on foot.

[Frosty Burdock]

The engines in our military vehicles aren't particularly demanding when it comes to fuel quality. The slop from a mini-refinery is probably enough for them.
So it’s a completely workable solution, at least for military needs.

[Vladimir M]

Yes, our military equipment is "omnivorous", which cannot be said about civilian equipment.
I remember the early 90s, the division left Hungary and the combat equipment was equipped with "Arktika" diesel fuel, while the training and combat equipment was equipped with regular diesel fuel.
They'd just shipped cars from Germany. Even in the summer, the cars weren't very willing to run on regular diesel fuel. But the "Arktika" was just the thing for them.
The order to hand over the Arktika to warehouses came rather quickly, but I don't think it stayed there for long.

[Dedok]

The engines of our military equipment are not particularly demanding in terms of fuel quality.

Who told you this?

[PVV66]

A government-level solution is needed that will allow small businesses to purchase such units and sell gasoline at gas stations, Delyagin believes.

You can buy a small plant and sell gasoline... but who's going to work these reformers!? You'd have to train a guy off the street for at least six months to operate one, otherwise he'd be blown up. It's not like hiring a janitor from Kyrgyzstan.

[duschman80-81]

State Duma Deputy Mikhail Delyagin proposed his solution,

And they will drive out donkey urine... Ali Babaevich went to prison for this.

[TOR2]

And it's best to install them close to crude oil sources. Otherwise, the resulting fuel may be more expensive than that produced by large refineries, not to mention less qualitative.

The purpose of such production is primarily to provide fuel to the surrounding area. This could be effective if located near oil production. In the current situation, it would be more logical to produce synthetic fuel at mini refineries. Plant-based feedstocks and coal are immediately out of the question. Peat, which is abundant in many regions, remains. Producing one liter of such fuel is more expensive, but it eliminates the cost of transporting the raw material. Mini refineries can operate near peat production. Furthermore, synthetic fuels contain much less of the notorious sulfur.

[Rockerman]

I wonder if he himself will put this fuel into his car?

[Smoked]

Just like in Ukraine. Mobile anti-drone defense teams, mini-refineries, then mobile gas stations. Everything we laugh at here as a result of "powerful counterattacks" is gradually happening here too.

[Derbenev Anton]

Everything's getting smaller somehow. Could we set up a production facility for gasoline stills, similar to moonshine stills? I could set one up in the courtyard and let it slowly distill. For myself, so to speak. Moonshine is distilled in the summer kitchen, and gasoline is distilled in the courtyard. Beautiful.

[Dedok]

Is it possible to set up production of gasoline stills, similar to moonshine stills?

What do you understand as a moonshine still?
I explain:
Are you a supporter of distillate or rectified spirits?

[Derbenev Anton]

A moonshine still is a device for producing alcohol at home.
A gasoline production apparatus is a device for producing gasoline at home.
On Avito, the modular Mini Oil Refinery Starlet 8,700,000.
The use of advanced technologies in the field of oil refining ensures high quality of petroleum products:
Straight-run gasoline - GOST R51105-97,
Diesel fuel GOST 305-82

As for me, it’s easier to use a moonshine still for drinking on public holidays, and a bicycle on weekdays.

[Dedok]

A moonshine still is a device for producing alcohol at home.

you did not answer the question:

Are you a supporter of distillate or rectified spirits?

If you didn't answer, it means you don't understand the process of making "homemade alcohol"...
and talking to you about distillation methods is useless...
By the way, according to GOST 305-82, will you find diesel fuel at a gas station?
If you find it, please write...

[Derbenev Anton]

If you didn't answer, it means you don't understand the process of making "homemade alcohol"...
and talking to you about distillation methods is useless...

I'm sorry to disappoint you. Competing with masters of sports in the field of moonshining is really not my thing.

[Dedok]

I'm sorry to disappoint you. Competing with masters of sports in the field of moonshining is really not my thing.

About ten years ago, I was in a lawsuit against a fuel company: MAN buses didn't want to run on the diesel fuel they supplied, but it's been in public transportation for over 50 years, and when people start telling me about it...
and moonshine production is a bright, accessible example and nothing more.
Moreover, I regularly went to the exhibition in St. Petersburg - "Lengranstakan", where the directions compete without administrative resources...
So, I won't be disappointed, what's offensive is that you get your knowledge from the internet, where most of the information is someone's speculation.

[Derbenev Anton]

So, I won't be disappointed, what's offensive is that you get your knowledge from the internet, where most of the information is someone's speculation.

Indeed, I haven't been to the library for a long time. I need to go. Thanks.

[shm_kv]

Okay, so you can get naphtha this way. But what do you do with it? I don't think even a classic car would run on it, let alone modern engines. Producing the gasoline we're all accustomed to requires very expensive units, which small refineries typically don't install (since they're 10 times more expensive than the mini-refinery itself).
Under the current circumstances, the only option is to build a concrete sarcophagus over the installations of large oil refineries (with priority over those that remain intact).

[PVV66]

You, sir, apparently know as much about oil refining as a pig knows about mangoes. Mini-units like these are very good, capable of producing octane ratings from 80 to 100. And they cost 20 million dollars. And they take up 50x100 meters of space. Believe me, I've worked on one of these "samovars" for 25 years.

[shm_kv]

Once again: it can be done. The question is the cost. And how many such mini-refineries will be needed to cover the deficit? The cost will be astronomical, since in addition to the primary column, hydrotreating, isomerization, and reforming are required. And none of these (except for the primary column) are made in Russia. Not to mention the fact that satellites will be used to locate them and attempt to damage them.

[dnestr74]

A metal frame made of 18 gauge reinforcement is quite sufficient.

[shm_kv]

There are shrapnel there, so concrete is more reliable. But mesh is better than nothing.

[VALERIK_097]

I also thought about Faraday cages.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Cages need to be prepared for those responsible for air defense.

[Sergey3]

Mini refineries are being built in the Krasnodar Territory, with very high refining depths. https://nouprom-npz.ru/poleznye-svedeniya-o-mini-npz/stroitelstvo-mini-npz/
This is not an advertisement, so you know.

[shm_kv]

What percentage? Where can I get confirmation of this information? On the website, every section except "primary processing" says "section in progress."
After primary processing, the octane rating is around 60 and contains a lot of impurities (including sulfur). Modern engines won't run on this gasoline, even with additives. Diesel fuel for some military equipment can be produced in such units, but that's about it.

[Sergey3]

Type "buy MINI refinery" into Yandex and you'll see how many domestic ones are on offer, from the simplest to small plants with a refining depth of 80-85% and a yield of finished 95 and 100-octane gasoline.

[shm_kv]

Unfortunately, there won't be much domestic stuff there.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Has anyone set import substitution requirements for this equipment in order to maintain the percentage?

[shm_kv]

To cover the country's consumption, a huge number of such mini-refineries are needed. This is a huge amount of money, and China won't be able to supply such a quantity of components quickly. Moreover, the enemy will try to identify and damage them.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Are you planning to cover the country's entire consumption with these mini-refineries? I don't understand the concern. What's the purpose of these obstacles?

[shm_kv]

Such that it won't solve the shortage problem. Instead of properly protecting existing refineries, the authorities are busy with all sorts of nonsense.

[Sergey3]

In the current design, it is technically impossible to protect oil refineries and fuel storage bases from mini-drones.

[Dedok]

Has anyone set import substitution requirements for this equipment in order to maintain the percentage?

Recently, the government amended RF Government Resolution 1875, adding "piano" to the list.

[acetophenone]

Such refineries are relatively cheap,

What, cheaper than a drone? Or is someone hoping to keep their location secret, like it's invisible from satellites? It's just an attempt to make money and ignore the environment.

[NakedMan]

Well, actually, they could be placed in buildings; it would be much easier than enclosing a huge factory with a concrete sarcophagus. And with a little secrecy, accurately targeting a drone would be much more difficult. Now, everything is in plain sight.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

And here the main problem of the Russian economy emerges: property taxes.
The tax office will charge a building tax and the whole idea will wither on the vine.

[dnestr74]

We need to invest in air defense and the defeat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and not in mini-refineries, everything is topsy-turvy among the deputies

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Will mini refineries somehow interfere with the organization of air defense?
For every normal idea here on the site, 80-90% of those who object and criticize come out and argue that this should never be done, otherwise it will immediately lead to oh-oh-oh and oh-oh-oh.

[NakedMan]

Air defense, of course. But we can't rely solely on the military. Civilians also need to make an effort, strengthening the infrastructure's resilience. This could prove useful in the future.

[Ivan Seversky]

In my region, in the early 2010s, a medium-sized oil refinery (about 1 million tons per year) was opened, which produced solvents, heating fuel, and bitumen.
They were supposed to complete the modernization, but they bombed it again the other day...
This means that, in real conditions, the average oil refinery was not capable of producing either gasoline or diesel.

Now a bunch of businessmen will come running asking for money for mini-refineries, but that's like Hodja Nasreddin. Either the irreplaceable one will go to the Pechenegs, or they'll start effectively bombing oil production as well.

[Boycott]

The amateurism of legislators is ineradicable. They know nothing about dehydrating crude oil before distillation. They've never heard of secondary processing of diesel and kerosene (hydrotreating to remove sulfur and nitrogen). The fact that gasoline isn't used after distillation, but rather processed (reforming, for example), is a great secret. Good heavens, who's running this country?

[acetophenone]

Quote: BoyCat

The amateurism of legislators is ineradicable... My God, who is running this country...

Well, they're certainly not Okhotny Ryads. Those guys can only line their pockets and pander to the Kremlin.

[osp]

Such installations can only be placed near thermal power plants or state district power plants where there are fuel oil facilities, a tank farm, or railway overpasses.
And most importantly, there is dry steam, demineralized water and boiling water.
Without this, nothing will work there.
You can't put it in an open field.
True, in the vicinity of a power plant, it can be made in a building and somehow protected.
You can't put them in an open field and there's no need to.
Gasoline 76-80.
Suitable for carburetor engines.

[Dedok]

You can't put it in an open field.

You can install it, but the result won't be pleasing...

[alexputnik17]

Quote from: shm_kv

The cost will be astronomical, since in addition to the primary column, hydrotreating, isomerization, and reforming are required. And none of this (except for the primary column) is done in Russia.

Why? We were processing. Near Irkutsk. 50-100 thousand tons per month. A full range. All types of gasoline, winter and summer diesel, and fuel oil. 2016-2020.

[Thumbs]

There are alternative technologies for producing synthetic liquid fuels using a syngas generator into marketable products for small-scale installations. It's much more profitable to produce dimethyl ether from syngas—an excellent diesel fuel, technically simpler and more cost-effective than methanol.
There is also a technology for synthesizing gasoline from methane without the intermediate step of producing methanol or dimethyl ether. Such reactors are designed based on the principles of a rocket engine.