Market insights

Developments that affect petroleum trading, pricing and market infrastructure.

Trading

Petersburg Exchange introduces a marketing period for petrochemical products

The Petersburg Exchange has introduced a marketing period, including for petrochemical products. Details and benefits for trading participants are provided in the product cards.

Petrochemicals

Polypropylene trading on the Petersburg Exchange

During the period from August 27 to September 2, 2026, polypropylene sales on the Petersburg Exchange totaled 280 tonnes, up 2.8 times from the previous week (100 tonnes).

Trading

Russia and Malaysia Outline Prospects for Cooperation in Exchange Trading

The development of exchange trading could become an additional tool to expand direct trading ties between Russian and Malaysian business.

Regulation

Methanol — a key feedstock for the gas chemical industry

Methanol is a key feedstock for the gas chemical industry, used to produce formaldehyde, synthetic rubber and plastics, and as a base for MTBE. It has been approved for up to 3% addition to gasoline.

Petrochemicals

Petersburg Exchange methanol trades total 56,297 tonnes January–August 2026

Jan–Aug 2026 methanol sales total 56,297 tonnes, up 67% year‑on‑year from 33,617 t; August volume was 8,608 t with an average price of 38,892 rubles/tonne. The National Exchange Price Agency reports 5,748 t of technical methanol grade A sold 24–28 August, with a Samara delivery base of 3,900 t at 35,000 rubles/tonne.

Petrochemicals

Petersburg Exchange expands petrochemical trading instrument lineup to 325 items

The petrochemical instrument lineup has expanded to 325 items; 180 active instruments were on exchange in 2025, rising to 325 in 2026. New items include polymer grades, ethylene glycol, and hydrochloric acid.

Trading

Natural gas trading volume on the Exchange for eight months of 2026

Natural gas trading on SPIMEX amounted to 8.885 bcm over eight months in 2026, with August sales surpassing 1 bcm. Year-on-year, the eight-month volume was down 11.9%.

Regulation

OTC Petroleum Product Trades to Be Registered From 1 Tonne Threshold

The Government of the Russian Federation approved a regulation to register OTC trades in petroleum products starting at a threshold of 1 tonne; the document, developed by FAS, aims to ensure traceability of supply chains. Provision of information will be voluntary from Sept 1, 2026 and mandatory from March 1, 2027.

Trading

Petersburg Exchange Seminar on the Electronic Trading System and Clearing for New Participants

A seminar for new participants in the Metals and Alloys section covered the trading structure, electronic document flow, and clearing operations, as well as the marketing period and reduced margin requirements.

Petrochemicals

New Petrochemical Product on the Petersburg Exchange: HDPE HD08530 CC and a New Instrument PC5DDTM021A

A new instrument PC5DDTM021A has been introduced on the Petersburg Exchange for HD08530 CC polyethylene, intended for caps and closures.

Trading

Republic of Komi expresses interest in participating in Petersburg Exchange trading

Following the VI Republican Exhibition Dostoyanie Severa-2026, Komi representatives expressed interest in participating in exchange trading, discussing procurement and sale of a broad range of goods, including coal and oil products, with pilot trading sessions planned.

Trading

First trades of shaped rolled products in the Metals and Alloys section of the Petersburg Exchange

The Metals and Alloys section of the Petersburg Exchange completed its first trades of shaped rolled products, totaling 500 tonnes, including angles 75x75x5, 100x100x7 and channel 14U steel grade 3, produced by United Metallurgical Company (OMK Group), with pickup-from-plant delivery from its Perm region warehouse.