Identifying Key Issues and Factors Impairing Raw Material Inventory Management

The article analyzes the challenges that reduce the effectiveness of raw material inventory management at oil refineries in the face of market instability. The relevance of the study stems from the need to adapt supply and storage systems to the changing economic environment to ensure the sustainability of production processes and the financial stability of the industry. The study draws on statistical data from Rosstat and Deputy Prime Minister A.V. Novak, regulatory documents, and the results of a systematic and comparative analysis aimed at identifying factors affecting the effectiveness of raw material inventory management in oil refining. In this study, the authors examined key issues that reduce the effectiveness of raw material inventory management at oil refineries, including price volatility, logistical disruptions, limited warehouse capacity, and low levels of digitalization. Based on statistical data from Rosstat revealed that deviations in inventory management could reduce the economic efficiency of enterprises by 15‒20%, and the average load of tank farms reached 85‒90%, limiting the flexibility of production processes. The analysis showed that even a 10% increase in the variability of delivery dates caused an increase in insurance stocks by 7‒9%, which led to a freeze in working capital. A set of measures has been proposed as a solution, including digitalization of management, optimization of insurance stocks and the introduction of risk-based approaches to supply. In conclusion, it should be noted that improving the efficiency of inventory management at refineries requires a comprehensive modernization of the supply chain, including digitalization, inventory optimization and logistics development.