Russia's NORSI refinery partially shut after drone attack, sources say

• The shutdown of NORSI's CDU-6 unit eliminates 190,000 barrels per day of processing capacity, representing over half the refinery's output
• Multiple major refineries in central Russia have been forced to halt or scale back operations due to recent Ukrainian drone attacks
• The targeted facility is located in Nizhny Novgorod, approximately 450 km east of Moscow, and is owned by Lukoil

Summary: Russia's NORSI Refinery Partially Shut After Drone Attack

Russia's NORSI refinery, the country's fourth-largest oil processing facility, has partially shut down following a Ukrainian drone attack on Wednesday, May 21. The facility's main primary CDU-6 unit was forced offline, according to industry sources.

Key Facts and Figures:

• NORSI's total capacity: 16 million metric tons annually (approximately 320,000 barrels per day)
• CDU-6 unit capacity: 25,700 metric tons daily (roughly 190,000 barrels per day)
• The affected unit represents 53% of the refinery's overall capacity
• NORSI is Russia's second-largest gasoline producer
• Location: Near Kstovo in Nizhny Novgorod, approximately 450 km (280 miles) east of Moscow

Companies Involved:

Lukoil owns the affected refinery. The company has not yet commented on the incident.

Market Implications:

The shutdown will significantly reduce NORSI's output, adding further uncertainty to Russia's energy sector and domestic fuel supply. This attack is part of a broader pattern, as virtually all major refineries in central Russia have been forced to halt or reduce operations due to recent Ukrainian drone strikes.

Context:

Regional governor Gleb Nikitin confirmed a fire occurred at the industrial site on Wednesday. Ukraine's general staff acknowledged striking the Lukoil-owned facility. The coordinated attacks on Russian refining infrastructure represent an escalation that could impact regional fuel availability and potentially influence global energy markets, particularly for refined petroleum products.