Druzhba pipeline repairs completed, paving the way for Central Europe crude flows to restart

Crude oil deliveries to Central Europe are set to restart as repairs on the Druzhba pipeline have been completed, restoring a key transit artery for refinery supply. The development matters for regional energy security because it reduces reliance on emergency measures and alternative logistics that were used after the line was damaged during the conflict in Ukraine.

Repairs end disruption; force majeure lifted

MOL Group said it received confirmation from Ukrainian operator Ukrtransnafta that normal transit flows are ready to resume following completion of repair works on the Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline had been damaged during the conflict in Ukraine and suspended Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia since late January.

Ukrtransnafta also indicated that the force majeure declaration was lifted in late April, clearing the way for deliveries to restart.

Hungary and Slovakia shifted to emergency and alternative supplies

During the interruption, both Hungary and Slovakia turned to other arrangements to keep refinery operations running. Authorities authorized temporary withdrawals from strategic oil reserves, enabling MOL and its subsidiary Slovnaft to access emergency volumes.

At the same time, shipments via the JANAF pipeline were increased substantially. Croatia expanded throughput to help offset the shortfall from Druzhba.

Adriatic route still played a major role

The expected restart of Druzhba flows should gradually reduce dependence on the Adriatic supply route over coming months. Nearly one million tons of crude oil were transported through JANAF over the past two and a half months, underscoring how far alternative routing could go in meeting refinery demand in Hungary and Slovakia during the disruption.

Regional politics and transit negotiations added pressure

The episode also carried a political dimension. Officials in both Hungary and Slovakia criticized delays in repair operations, while broader negotiations between Ukraine and European partners added complexity around energy transit security.

With Druzhba back in operation, regional oil logistics are expected to stabilize, easing pressure on alternative supply corridors and restoring a crucial route for crude deliveries to Central European refineries.