MOSCOW, August 27 (RIA Novosti) - Duty on Russian oil exports could rise by up to $26, reaching $248-250 per metric ton as of October 1, in keeping with world market trends, a Finance Ministry official said Monday.
The Russian government adjusts export duty on crude and petroleum products every two months, depending on changes in the Urals blend price on world markets.
"The average oil price monitored from July to August 27 was $71.83 per barrel. Therefore, the oil export duty could be set within the range of $248-250 per metric ton," said Alexander Sakovich, deputy head of the ministry's customs department. Crude export duty was $223.9 per ton as of August 1.
The new figure will be higher than last year's record oil duty of $237.6 per ton, Sakovich said.
Budget revenue from the export of oil and petroleum products in 2007 will at least equal last year's figures, irrespective of world oil prices in September-December, Sakovich said.
