Russia will slightly cut its oil export duty by around 1.5% to $267 a tonne from 1 January 2010, reflecting a fall in oil prices, according to calculations.
The duty was based on the monitoring of international prices for Russia's benchmark Urals crude blend between 15 November and 14 December.
The duty, which plays a big role in the financial results of Russia's oil companies, was set at $271 a tonne for December.
Finance Ministry official Alexander Sakovich said the average price of Urals in the latest monitoring period was $75.13 a barrel, which works out at around $550.7 a tonne.
According to Reuters calculations, based on customs tariffs regulations and the average oil price estimates, the January oil export duty is likely to be set at $267.07 per tonne.
The January duty was in line with the $266 to $268 range forecast by the ministry on 11 December, three days before the end of the monitoring period.
Export duties on light refined products such as gasoline and gas oil will total $192.2 a tonne, compared with the current level of $194.9 a tonne.
On heavy refined products such as fuel oil, the January tariff will be set at $103.5 against $105 a tonne this month.
The government will officially announce January duties at the end of December.
