Russian specialists could help repair oil refineries across the Middle East that were damaged in strikes, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov announced.
Speaking at the fourth Russian Engineer international congress, Alikhanov said Moscow had already offered assistance to partners on the Arabian Peninsula to restore affected facilities, news agency Interfax reported.
The minister did not specify which country Moscow had contacted, nor did he confirm whether any foreign government had accepted the Russian proposal.
Alikhanov stated that Russia now possesses an adequate level of domestic oil and gas machine building to supply equipment to friendly nations. He stressed that Russian engineering firms have developed enough technical competence to serve as a viable alternative to global licensors.
Global licensors are international engineering companies that hold patents for proprietary refining technologies, designing the specialized units that convert crude oil into fuels such as petrol, diesel, and aviation kerosene. Major energy producers typically rely on these licensors to design, certify, and maintain complex refining machinery.
Alternative engineering standards
During his address, Alikhanov pointed out that Russia has established its own system of industrial standards designed to compete directly with the American Petroleum Institute. He noted that Arab partners are gradually recognizing these Russian technical standards for energy equipment.
The American Petroleum Institute, established in the United States in 1919, is the primary global standard-setting body for the oil and natural gas sector. Its technical specifications govern everything from pipe fittings and valves to drilling rigs and environmental safety systems, creating universal benchmarks used across international oilfields and refineries.
Moscow hopes to secure similar foreign recognition for its equipment in offshore field developments and liquefied natural gas production, the minister added.
However, Alikhanov acknowledged that expanding into the liquefied natural gas sector remains more challenging. He explained that Russian manufacturing equipment for liquefied natural gas still needs to be fully assembled into complete technological chains.
Domestic fuel supply challenges
The offer to rebuild overseas refineries comes as Russia faces its own domestic fuel constraints. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak recently stated that Russian oil companies will continue buying petrol from foreign suppliers until at least the end of the year because of domestic production shortfalls.
Novak estimated that foreign petrol purchases would account for roughly ten percent of Russia's total domestic consumption during this period.
Novak serves as Russia's senior official overseeing energy strategy and fuel markets, working alongside Alikhanov's Ministry of Industry and Trade, which manages heavy industrial manufacturing. While Moscow seeks to export its industrial engineering services abroad, domestic energy authorities have had to adjust fuel flows at home to ensure steady supplies for local consumers.
