The Druzhba pipeline’s oil flow from Russia to the Czech Republic was interrupted on Wednesday, Czech officials confirmed. The cause of the disruption remains unclear.
Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek assured that refiners are prepared for such situations, emphasizing the country’s robust state oil reserves. The state pipeline operator, Mero, stated that national oil supplies are secure, with 90 days of reserves available. Additionally, the TAL and IKL pipelines, which deliver oil from Trieste, continue to operate normally.
This development coincides with the expiration of an EU exemption that allowed the Czech Republic to import Russian pipeline oil. Granted in 2022 alongside Hungary and Slovakia, the exemption provided time to transition away from reliance on Russian energy, a legacy of the war in Ukraine.
Over recent years, the Czech Republic has doubled the capacity of its Transalpine pipeline to eight million metric tonnes annually, reducing its dependence on Russian oil. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has reinforced the country’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that European peace and security depend on halting Russian aggression.
With the exemption ending on Thursday, Prague has indicated it will not seek an extension, underscoring its shift towards diversified oil supplies.