popular articles

Lukoil to resume exports via the Druzhba pipeline in October

Lukoil resumes oil exports via the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary after concluding transit agreements with MOL, bypassing Kyiv's sanctions.

Please share:

In October, Lukoil resumed crude oil exports via the Druzhba pipeline, which serves Hungary and Slovakia.
This follows the conclusion of agreements between MOL, Hungary’s main refiner, and Belarusian and Ukrainian transit operators.
Under these new arrangements, MOL takes over deliveries from the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, thereby assuming responsibility for transport costs.
This change comes against a backdrop of sanctions imposed by Kyiv, which had previously blocked the transport of Russian crude.

New Transit Agreement and Financial Implications

The agreement changes the previous delivery arrangements, which were based on a “free in pipeline” basis at Feneshlitke in Hungary, creating logistical complications and additional costs for Russia.
MOL now takes possession of the oil at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, simplifying procedures and reducing costs.
This development may reflect the adaptation of European players to an increasingly complex sanctions environment.
The Druzhba pipeline remains a key infrastructure for oil transport in Central Europe, despite persistent tensions between Russia and transit countries.
Forecast volumes for September are 510,000 tonnes for Slovakia and 360,000 tonnes for Hungary.
However, maintenance work scheduled at the MOL refinery in Slovakia from September 23 will temporarily limit crude oil absorption.
This maintenance schedule must be taken into account in supply management and strategic planning.

Geopolitical context and energy dependence

The resumption of oil deliveries via Druzhba takes place in a tense geopolitical climate, where economic sanctions and transit restrictions are complicating relations between Russia, the European Union and transit countries.
MOL’s decision to assume the transportation costs could be seen as a strategy to stabilize supplies while minimizing the financial and diplomatic risks associated with the current situation.
However, the use of the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses politically sensitive areas, remains a gamble for market players.
Any new sanctions or restrictions could affect these energy flows.
Players in the sector are keeping a close eye on developments to adjust their supply strategies.

Impact on the energy market

This agreement shows how companies in the energy sector are adapting their strategies to changing market realities and the constraints imposed by international regulations.
For MOL, it represents a means of guaranteeing continuity of operations, despite an increasingly complex sanctions environment.
The resumption of exports via Druzhba could serve as a model for other companies in the region.
Nevertheless, uncertainty remains a key factor, and any change in regulations or geopolitical tensions could quickly change the game.
Energy professionals need to keep a close eye on these developments, as they will inevitably affect costs and supply flows.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Discussions led by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources in Washington focused on measures aiming to avoid potential tariffs and to strengthen North American energy security.
Thailand's decision to cut electricity supply to several Myanmar border towns affects bilateral energy trade. With a loss of $1.5 million per month, this measure raises questions about the future of regional supply contracts.
Thailand's decision to cut electricity supply to several Myanmar border towns affects bilateral energy trade. With a loss of $1.5 million per month, this measure raises questions about the future of regional supply contracts.
Amid energy tensions with Russia, the European Union has announced a new €250 million financial aid package to support Moldova in 2025. This funding aims to stabilize the country’s energy supply while reducing its dependence on Russian gas.
Amid energy tensions with Russia, the European Union has announced a new €250 million financial aid package to support Moldova in 2025. This funding aims to stabilize the country’s energy supply while reducing its dependence on Russian gas.
China is imposing new tariffs on U.S. hydrocarbons and coal in response to Washington’s reinforced duties. This escalation intensifies trade tensions between the two powers and raises major strategic stakes in the energy sector. ##
China is imposing new tariffs on U.S. hydrocarbons and coal in response to Washington’s reinforced duties. This escalation intensifies trade tensions between the two powers and raises major strategic stakes in the energy sector. ##
The Trump administration is increasing pressure on OPEC to boost oil production. Between economic strategies and geopolitical stakes, global market balance remains fragile as OPEC+ takes a cautious approach ahead of key decisions.
In 2024, Chinese companies installed 24 gigawatts of new energy capacity in Belt and Road countries. Nearly half of the projects focused on renewable energy, underscoring their key role in global energy diplomacy.
In 2024, Chinese companies installed 24 gigawatts of new energy capacity in Belt and Road countries. Nearly half of the projects focused on renewable energy, underscoring their key role in global energy diplomacy.
Energy issues and political strategies are shaping relations between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky as negotiations over Ukraine could redefine the global geopolitical balance.
Energy issues and political strategies are shaping relations between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky as negotiations over Ukraine could redefine the global geopolitical balance.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conditions the continuation of European sanctions against Russia on the restoration of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, citing the economic impact on Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conditions the continuation of European sanctions against Russia on the restoration of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, citing the economic impact on Hungary.
As Iran accelerates its enriched uranium production, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emphasizes the urgency of dialogue between Washington and Tehran to prevent further diplomatic escalation.
Africa’s leading oil producer, Nigeria, relies on new partnerships to finance its infrastructure, diversify its markets, and integrate nuclear, solar, and gas projects into its growth strategy.
Africa’s leading oil producer, Nigeria, relies on new partnerships to finance its infrastructure, diversify its markets, and integrate nuclear, solar, and gas projects into its growth strategy.
Amid an energy crisis, separatist Transdniestria has requested Moldova to supply gas. This request raises legal and geopolitical issues as the region has been cut off from Russian deliveries since January.
Amid an energy crisis, separatist Transdniestria has requested Moldova to supply gas. This request raises legal and geopolitical issues as the region has been cut off from Russian deliveries since January.
Qatar announces technical assistance to restore essential infrastructure in Syria, severely affected by years of conflict. This aid includes an energy contribution as well as support for the electricity sector, which is undergoing restructuring.
Qatar announces technical assistance to restore essential infrastructure in Syria, severely affected by years of conflict. This aid includes an energy contribution as well as support for the electricity sector, which is undergoing restructuring.
Nearly 120 missiles and drones targeted key infrastructures in Ukraine, causing widespread power outages. This attack occurred as Volodymyr Zelensky met with European leaders in Poland.
Despite months of negotiations, OECD countries failed to reach an agreement to restrict public support for fossil fuel industries, highlighting key divergences between nations.
Despite months of negotiations, OECD countries failed to reach an agreement to restrict public support for fossil fuel industries, highlighting key divergences between nations.
The pro-Russian separatist leader of Transdniestria, Vadim Krasnosselski, traveled to Moscow to address the energy crisis impacting his region after Russian gas deliveries were cut, jeopardizing the local economy and power grid.
The pro-Russian separatist leader of Transdniestria, Vadim Krasnosselski, traveled to Moscow to address the energy crisis impacting his region after Russian gas deliveries were cut, jeopardizing the local economy and power grid.
Thanks to the extension of the TAL pipeline, the Czech Republic diversifies its energy supply, reducing its dependence on Russian oil while enhancing its strategic security.
Thanks to the extension of the TAL pipeline, the Czech Republic diversifies its energy supply, reducing its dependence on Russian oil while enhancing its strategic security.
Ukrainian drone strikes targeted industrial and energy facilities in Russia, causing significant fires in Tatarstan and Saratov regions, according to local authorities.
The United States is considering a 25% tax on Canadian oil imports, threatening a strategic energy partnership. This measure could disrupt Alberta’s economy and global oil markets.
The United States is considering a 25% tax on Canadian oil imports, threatening a strategic energy partnership. This measure could disrupt Alberta’s economy and global oil markets.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan discussions on the partial resumption of Russian gas transit, representing 25% of the volumes needed for Slovakia.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan discussions on the partial resumption of Russian gas transit, representing 25% of the volumes needed for Slovakia.
As Nicolás Maduro begins a contested third term and Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, tensions between Washington and Caracas reach a critical point. Between tightened sanctions, strategic alliances, and oil stakes, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for these two nations.
As Nicolás Maduro begins a contested third term and Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, tensions between Washington and Caracas reach a critical point. Between tightened sanctions, strategic alliances, and oil stakes, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for these two nations.
Discussions in Geneva between Iran and the E3 group aim to regulate uranium enrichment now reaching 60%, while adhering to international regulatory frameworks.
The separatist authorities of Transdniestria, grappling with the halt of Russian gas deliveries, are calling on Moscow for help to prevent a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by power outages and an economy on the brink of collapse.
The separatist authorities of Transdniestria, grappling with the halt of Russian gas deliveries, are calling on Moscow for help to prevent a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by power outages and an economy on the brink of collapse.
Faced with US sanctions targeting Russian oil, Serbia is negotiating with Moscow to ensure the full withdrawal of Russian shares in its main gas supplier, NIS, 56% owned by Gazprom and Gazprom Neft.
Faced with US sanctions targeting Russian oil, Serbia is negotiating with Moscow to ensure the full withdrawal of Russian shares in its main gas supplier, NIS, 56% owned by Gazprom and Gazprom Neft.
A tanker carrying 99,000 tons of oil, stranded in the Baltic Sea, has been secured by German rescue operations. The incident reignites debates over Russia's "ghost fleet" and its environmental implications.
A tanker carrying 99,000 tons of oil, stranded in the Baltic Sea, has been secured by German rescue operations. The incident reignites debates over Russia's "ghost fleet" and its environmental implications.

Advertising