Russia will not export oil subject to Western price cap, deputy prime minister says - Reuters

MOSCOW, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, will not sell oil that is subject to a Western price cap even if it has to cut production, President Vladimir Putin's point man on energy said.

"We are working on mechanisms to prohibit the use of a price cap instrument, regardless of what level is set, because such interference could further destabilise the market," said Novak, who is the Russian government official in charge of the country's oil, gas, atomic energy and coal.

Novak said the Western cap could trigger trouble in the products markets and could affect other countries beside Russia.

It is unclear what, if any, immediate impact the Western cap will have on Russian oil flows because the discounted price to Brent for Russian blends has widened so significantly.

A source who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation told Reuters that a decree was being prepared to prohibit Russian companies and traders from interacting with countries and companies guided by the cap.

In essence, such a decree would ban the export of oil and petroleum products to countries and companies that apply it.