Since the beginning of 2026, the number of operating gas stations (including those selling gas) in Russia has decreased by 322 points (closed for repairs or rebranding). This is 70% more than the figure for the same period in 2025 (189 points). These data were provided by OMT Consult.

There are 28.4 thousand gas stations in the country. Of these, 105 temporarily closed belong to large independent chains – "Gazoyl", "Rosgaz", "Zvezda", etc. Oil and gas companies such as "Lukoil", "Tatneft", "Gazpromneft" suspended the operation of 67 gas stations.

Marat Murtazin, President of the "Oil Club of St. Petersburg" union, believes that the situation is related to instability in the fuel market (repairs at refineries, supply problems). This led to a significant increase in exchange and over-the-counter wholesale fuel prices.

Margins are not what they used to be

The average exchange price for AI-92 gasoline in the first half of the year reached 63.7 thousand rubles per ton. This is 18% more than in the same period of 2025. These data were provided by Sergey Teryoshkin, CEO of Open Oil Market.

At the same time, the profitability of fuel sales at gas stations decreased. At the end of July 2026, the net margin (revenue minus production costs) for 1 liter of AI-92 gasoline was 3.6 rubles. In January 2026, this figure was 6.1 rubles.

Marat Murtazin recalled that prices in the fuel market have always been highly volatile. Similar crises have happened before. Perhaps, during periods of high prices, owners of some gas stations decided to temporarily suspend operations.

Sergey Teryoshkin added that the increase in wholesale prices is due, among other things, to a reduction in exchange trading standards and changes in fuel logistics. Independent gas stations suffer from these factors first and foremost. Probably, a structural restructuring will begin in the retail fuel market – it will face a wave of mergers and acquisitions, the expert concluded.