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Czech energy company Moravské naftové doly (MND) is reported to have plans to build a refinery in the port of Primorsk, which would specialize in the production of bunker fuel.

MND, the largest oil and gas producing company in the Czech Republic, is said to have already filed an application for the construction of the fuel oil-producing facility, which is one of two refineries planned for the Leningrad region.

In late 2008, another company, Jasmine LLC announced that it also intends to build a refinery complex in Primorsk. However, the plant is expected to focus mainly on the export of oil products to other countries.

Speaking at a press conference, Grigory Dvas, Vice-Governor of the Leningrad region said that the relevant documents for the construction of the MND refinery had already been formally approved.

The facility is expected to specialize in the production of marine fuel to supply vessels calling at the ports of Primorsk and Vysotsk.

Both ports are located only 137 kilometres and 159 kilometres from St Petersburg - the country's leading bunker port - repectively. Primorsk is the largest exporter of crude and oil products in North-West Russia. In 2008, the port exported 75.58 million tonnes of oil cargoes.

Energy company MND operates gas fields in Germany, Pakistan, Romania, Yemen, Sudan, Morocco, Russia and Ukraine. In Pakistan the company operates the Sawan field which yields 10 million m3 of gas/day.