Belarus will maintain its efficient production and processing of oil, and we should not remain stagnant or be complacent with our current achievements — as noted by Ilya Ikan, the Chairman of the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim), after today’s meeting on the extraction of hydrocarbons, convened by Belarus’ President Aleksandr Lukashenko
Mr. Ikan reported that oil production in the first half of 2025 rose by more than 4.5 percent. He noted a steady increase in both production and exploration activities.
“This is beneficial not just for the Gomel Region, but for Belarus overall, as all the oil extracted is refined at Belarusian facilities, especially at the Mozyr Refinery,” the Chairman of Belneftekhim emphasised.
He highlighted the quality of oil produced in Belarus, stating, “It is lighter than Russian oil and yields a greater amount of light oil products.”
Furthermore, Mr. Ikan noted that the ongoing development and training of Belarusian professionals enable Belorusneft to successfully penetrate global service markets.
“It is crucial for us to establish our own production capabilities, enhance our operations, and efficiently process oil to obtain basic petroleum products. Notably, there has been a slight rise in consumption this year, with an increase of approximately 2.5 percent. In line with the objectives outlined by the Head of State, we will persist in producing and refining oil effectively, contributing to the advancement of the Belarusian petrochemical sector,” Mr. Ikan stated. “The President has set appropriate goals: we should not remain stagnant or be complacent with our current achievements. Continuous progress is essential.”
He said that during the meeting these issues were discussed from different points of view, including a comparison of Belarus’ experience with that of other countries.
“We aimed to clarify and demonstrate that we are on a completely normal path. Our approach is no longer extensive but rather intensive in both production and exploration. Additionally, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection has confirmed its readiness to increase exploration efforts. The more we explore, the greater the chances of discovering oil reserves or other natural resources. This will enhance our understanding of the resources available to us. This topic is both relevant and interesting; we need to be aware of the land we live on, including what lies beneath it,” Mr. Ikan concluded.
