MOSCOW. April 23 (Interfax) - The U.S. Administration will not impose restrictions on Russian oil imports, and will probably increase them, U.S. Energy Department Under Secretary Robert Card said at a reception at the Moscow International Oil Club.
Asked about compensating for suspended Iraqi oil exports with Russian supplies, Card replied that the United States was prepared to buy Russian oil even without the embargo.
All types of oil can be processed at U.S. refineries, which focus on price as the key factor in purchases.
Mexico and Venezuela are the main oil suppliers to the United States, he said. The sulfur content in Mexican and Venezuelan crude exceeds 3%, he said.
A fairly small amount of Russian oil is consumed in the United States due
to high transportation costs, he said. Russian traders gain more by selling to closer markets, he said.
During his visit, Card will learn about businesses in Russia and forge a dialogue in the fuel and energy sector.
On Friday, Fuel and Energy Minister Igor Yusufov will meet with Card and discuss a conference of G-8 Energy ministers slated for early May in Detroit.
The reception was held in the framework of preparations for the upcoming Russia-U.S. summit and the Detroit conference.