The Belarusian side has reached an agreement with PJSC Transneft to increase the pumping of "clean" oil through the northern branch of the Druzhba pipeline (Surgut-Polotsk), Vasily Drobotov, the head of OJSC Polotsktransneft Druzhba told Interfax.

"Agreements have been reached with Transneft on increasing the flow through the Surgut-Polotsk pipeline. This is oil for OJSC Naftan," Drobotov said.

The increase could come as early as tomorrow, he said.

The Surgut-Polotsk pipeline is currently working with a minimal load, about 0.8-1 million tonnes a year, or 10% of Naftan's needs. The throughput capacity of the pipeline is 40 million tonnes a year.

According to the corporate magazine Vestnik Naftana, it was said at an emergency meeting held on April 22 that low-quality oil from the southern branch would reach the plant on Monday. In this connection, Naftan decreased its refining activity 40% to protect its equipment. Naftan draws supplies from two branches of the Druzhba pipeline.