popular articles

German Refineries adapt

German refineries are looking for alternatives to Russian oil. Some of them then come under the control of the government.

Please share:

German refinery operators are looking for alternatives to Russian hydrocarbons. The stated goal is to free itself from dependence on Russian oil by the end of the year. The stakes are high for the European Union’s largest oil market.

The solution of the nationalization of the refineries under Russian control

According to official figures, Germany imported more than a third of its crude from Russia last year. In April, Berlin’s mayor, Franziska Giffey, was already concerned about the importance of the Schwedt refinery for the country’s oil supply. German law permits the takeover of foreign companies in emergency situations.

Germany has placed the Schwedt refinery, formerly controlled by the Russian company Rosneft, under state control. This is also the case with the Leuna refinery, which is supplied with Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.

The end of the dependence on Russian oil?

The government is now working with an energy producer in Poland and is in talks with Kazakhstan to find alternatives to Russian oil. TotalEnergies has also stated its intention to end its dependence on Russian oil as soon as possible.

The Miro refinery, partly owned by Rosneft and also under state control, obtains its crude oil through the Transalpine pipeline (TAL). It runs from the Mediterranean port of Trieste through Bavaria to Karlsruhe.

The German government has also nationalized Varo Energy, which has a stake in the Bavarian refinery Bayernoil. The Bavarian-based company has indicated that it obtains its supplies from suppliers other than Russia.

Germany received 32% of its crude oil from Russia between January and June, compared with 40% before the invasion, according to BAFA figures. In June, the share of Russian oil imports was only 24%. The majority of oil transits via Rotterdam, but Germany also uses the infrastructure of the North Sea port of Wihelmshaven.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

In April, China generated 26% of its electricity from wind and solar, according to Ember, marking a historic first that reflects a rapid rebalancing of its energy mix.
Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
China's gas, oil and coal volumes remain above last year’s levels, despite a decline in April compared to the record highs of March.
The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A $150mn financing package, including $100mn from the World Bank, will support the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s power grid and integration of renewable energy in key regions.
A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
German regulator BNetzA has launched a consultation on a major grid tariff reform that could require electricity producers to pay access fees, thus altering the current funding structure.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
The Spanish Prime Minister has asked for more time to determine the causes of an unprecedented outage on April 28 that cut 15 gigawatts of electricity from the peninsula’s grid.
Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.
Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
The re-election of the Albanese government reassures energy stakeholders calling for regulatory adjustments to accelerate projects and secure long-term investment.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.
SOGARA is launching a two-phase modernisation programme to increase the country's energy autonomy by 2030, with financing primarily from external sources.

Advertising