Austria's OMV stops taking Russian crude for its refineries

Austria's OMV has halted purchases of Russian crude oil for refining operations as part of a wider curtailment of ties with Moscow, the company said April 21.

A company spokesperson confirmed the halt to Russian crude purchases, saying, "OMV does not process Russian crude in its refineries," which comprise Schwechat in Austria, Burghausen in Germany, and the majority-owned Petrobrazi refinery in Romania.

The move follows announcements by a number of companies earlier in the conflict in Ukraine signaling an end to Russian oil purchases.

OMV previously said it was reevaluating its extensive Russian ties, which include helping finance the now defunct Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project and a stake in the Yuzhno-Russkoye gas field alongside Gazprom that OMV purchased in 2017.

It has said it will no longer pursue investments in Russia and may sell or otherwise exit the Yuzhno-Russkoye asset, while also signaling it expects a financial hit relating to "counter-sanctions" announced by Russia and the suspension of Nord Stream 2.

European oil and gas companies BP, Shell and TotalEnergies have all said they will end Russian oil purchases in response to its invasion of Ukraine, albeit a few contracts for oil purchases continue to operate for now.