Russian fuel oil exports to Saudi Arabia rose almost twofold during the second quarter as the Saudis sought to free up more local crude for export while using the discount imports for power generation. According to Reuters data , Saudi Arabia imported some 647,000 tons of Russian fuel oil between April and June, compared with 320,000 tons a year earlier. Saudi Arabia is one of the relatively few countries that use crude oil for power generation, although it has taken steps to reduce this amount by boosting its natural gas output and switching power plants to gas, so there is more crude left for exports. The discounts in Russian oil and fuel exports due to sanctions have made Russian fuel oil a preferred feedstock for power plans during peak demand season in the summer. This increased reliance on Russian fuel, however, is likely to make President Biden’s task to […]