Bloomberg assesses consequences of drone attack on oil pumping station in Ust-Luga

"It would present a significant new supply threat for the global oil market if it were to be confirmed that Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged the pipeline system feeding Ust-Luga, halting oil shipments from the port for a prolonged period," the media outlet writes.

According to journalists, flows to Ust-Luga dropped to zero on January 29. Shipping data obtained by Bloomberg indicates that the last tanker departed on Wednesday morning, although there is a gap in the vessel's signals after that.

What is known about the Russian port of Ust-Luga

According to data collected by Bloomberg, the port of Ust-Luga processed about 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day last year, accounting for approximately 20% of Russia's total seaborne oil flow. It is considered the second largest port after Novorossiysk.

In recent weeks, media reports indicate that "flows from the port have slumped without explanation."

"The timing of that decline coincided with when an unspecified — and temporary — incident happened at the Unecha pump station to the east of Belarus that was reported by the Belta news agency at the time," the outlet notes.

Drone attack on the Andreapol oil pumping station

On January 29, drones attacked the Andreapol oil pumping station, a key component of the Baltic Pipeline System-2.

As a result of the strike, the station’s filtration and pumping area, additive tanks were damaged, and an oil spill and fire occurred.

The Russians were even forced to shut down the main pipeline supplying oil to the Ust-Luga terminal in the Leningrad region. As it appears, the oil flow has not been restored.

Notably, drones also attacked the largest maritime trade port of Ust-Luga on January 4.