Very tight Naphta market could increase pain at the pump in Europe. Exports of naphtha from Russia to Europe have shrunk considerably since the start of the year. Rising demand in the U.S. and Asia for naptha adds upward pressure to finished gasoline prices in Europe. European drivers who are already experiencing substantial pain at the pump are about to get even more unhappy as the market for naphtha, a key ingredient in gasoline, tightens amid EU sanctions on Russia. According to a Bloomberg report , as a result of the sanctions, exports of naphtha from Russia to Europe have shrunk considerably since the start of the year, while demand is expected to increase as summer season begins and petrochemical plants restart after seasonal maintenance. “Ultimately, there is some risk from a Russian shortfall in naphtha,” Energy Aspects oil product analyst Joseph McDonnell told Bloomberg. “Russian barrels will continue […]