Diversifying Outlets

Arguments occasionally spawn diversification. Oil pipeline tariff squabbles with Belarus in 2008 prompted Russia to develop alternative routes that bypassed their neighbor. One result was the country’s decision to build the Baltic Pipeline System 2 (BPS2) as shown in the following map. Inaugural flows of Russian oil should begin seeping into European markets over the next few weeks from the pipeline’s terminus in the Baltic port of Ust-Luga. Download here