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Druzhba pipeline to resume oil flow. When will it reach Slovnaft and affect prices at the pump?
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Slovakia /Economy & Trade

Druzhba pipeline to resume oil flow. When will it reach Slovnaft and affect prices at the pump?

From SME · (2d ago) Slovak

Translated from Slovak, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Russian oil may soon flow again through the Druzhba pipeline after a three-month halt due to damage from Russian drone attacks.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed repairs are complete but warned of potential future damage from Russian attacks.
  • While Slovakia's Slovnaft has largely transitioned to non-Russian oil, it may resume using Russian crude if supplies are restored.

The potential resumption of Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, after a significant three-month hiatus, marks a crucial development for regional energy security. The confirmation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that repairs are complete offers a glimmer of hope, though his cautionary note about the persistent threat of Russian attacks adds a layer of uncertainty.

Repair of the Druzhba pipeline is completed, and oil can flow.

โ€” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of UkraineConfirming the completion of repairs on the pipeline.

This pipeline disruption, caused by Russian drone attacks in late January, had a tangible impact, prompting swift diplomatic pressure from Slovakia and Hungary. Prime Ministers Robert Fico and Viktor Orbรกn had previously voiced concerns, with Orbรกn even linking the issue to EU funding for Ukraine. The urgency expressed by Slovak officials, including the future Hungarian Prime Minister Pรฉter Magyar, highlights the strategic importance of this energy artery for their respective economies.

However, no one can guarantee that the pipeline will not be damaged again by attacks from Russia.

โ€” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of UkraineExpressing concern about the ongoing threat of Russian attacks.

For Slovakia's Slovnaft refinery, the return of Russian oil via Druzhba is not an immediate necessity, as the company has largely adapted to using non-Russian crude imported through the Adria pipeline from Croatia. However, the economic logic of utilizing the more cost-effective Russian oil, should it become reliably available, remains. Analysts suggest that MOL, Slovnaft's parent company, would likely reduce its reliance on the Adria route if Druzhba operations are fully restored.

The raw material moves through the pipeline at the speed of a lightly running person. Even after checking the functionality and resuming transport, it will take several days for the first deliveries to reach Slovnaft.

โ€” Radovan Potoฤรกr, AnalystExplaining the timeline for oil delivery after the pipeline resumes operation.

The technical tests scheduled for the pipeline are a critical step, but the true test will be sustained, uninterrupted flow. The speed at which oil travels means it will take several days for any restored supply to reach the Slovnaft refinery. This situation underscores the complex geopolitical currents influencing energy markets, where infrastructure damage and political maneuvering directly impact supply and pricing, even as nations strive for greater energy independence.

If transport via Druzhba is restored, MOL and Slovnaft will partially reduce oil imports via Adria.

โ€” Radovan Potoฤรกr, AnalystPredicting the impact on Slovnaft's import strategy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by SME in Slovak. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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