EU’s Russian Oil Curtain Call: A Crossroads for Climate

The EU is phasing out Russian oil, which accounted for over 25 percent of its 2021 imports. While replacing these streams is technically complex due to refinery design requirements regarding sulfur and density, the report argues that the EU can reduce its carbon footprint by sourcing lower-emissions crudes. For example, Saudi Arab Light is identified as a potential substitute for Russian Urals crude that could lower emissions. Additionally, the report suggests that using hydrotreated intermediates could reduce EU refinery hydrogen demand, which currently represents nearly 10 percent of EU natural gas imports from Russia.

• The EU is implementing sanctions to achieve a 90 percent reduction in Russian oil imports by the end of 2022, targeting both seaborne oil and pipeline oil. In 2021, Russian oil imports totaled 2.2 million barrels per day (mbd) of crude and 1.2 mbd of refined products, representing over 25 percent of total EU oil imports.
• Replacing Russian Urals crude with other sources involves a trade-off between refinery compatibility and climate impact. While North Sea Brent is a European alternative, it could increase emissions due to high water and gas ratios in mature fields. Conversely, Saudi Arab Light is suggested as a good substitute that could lower emissions.
• The upstream emissions intensity of crude oils varies significantly; for instance, Kuwait produces crude oil with nearly 40 percent fewer upstream emissions than the average Russian barrel.
• The use of hydrotreated intermediate products in refineries could lower the EU's reliance on Russian natural gas, as refinery hydrotreating demand accounts for nearly 10 percent of EU natural gas imports from Russia or 25 percent of 2020 EU liquified natural gas imports.

APA

RMI (2022). EU’s Russian Oil Curtain Call: A Crossroads for Climate. https://rmi.org/resources/eus-russian-oil-curtain-call-a-crossroads-for-climate/

Chicago

RMI. EU’s Russian Oil Curtain Call: A Crossroads for Climate. 2022. https://rmi.org/resources/eus-russian-oil-curtain-call-a-crossroads-for-climate/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=EU’s Russian Oil Curtain Call: A Crossroads for Climate |date=1 July 2022 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/eus-russian-oil-curtain-call-a-crossroads-for-climate/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2022eus, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{EU’s Russian Oil Curtain Call: A Crossroads for Climate}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2022}, month = jul, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/eus-russian-oil-curtain-call-a-crossroads-for-climate/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }