March 17 (Reuters) - Hungary and Slovakia have signed an agreement to build a pipeline linking MOL-owned refineries in the two countries to transport oil products such as gasoline and diesel,
Hungary, Slovakia Strike Deal for Oil Pipeline Connecting MOL Refineries
Agreement Details and Regional Energy Impact
Pipeline Agreement and Construction Timeline
March 17 (Reuters) - Hungary and Slovakia have signed an agreement to build a pipeline linking MOL-owned refineries in the two countries to transport oil products such as gasoline and diesel, officials said on Tuesday.
Slovakia's Economy Ministry said on Tuesday the 127-kilometre (79-mile) pipeline should be finished in the first half of 2027. It will be able to transport 1.5 million tons of oil products a year.
Hungarian oil and gas group MOL owns refineries in both countries.
Statements from Officials
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday in Brussels, where the countries signed the deal, that the pipeline "will represent further added value for Hungary's energy supply and diesel supply".
Context: Oil Imports and Supply Security
Hungary and Slovakia are the only European Union countries still importing Russian oil and have fought the bloc's plans to end those imports next year, while also looking to diversify crude supplies and routes, such as through a pipeline from Croatia.
Disruptions and Political Tensions
Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine have been suspended since late January after damage that Kyiv says takes time. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine, which has fought a Russian invasion since 2022, of dragging its feet on the resumption of flows for political reasons.
Benefits of the New Pipeline
The Slovak ministry said the project connecting MOL's Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava and Danube refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, would improve logistics of fuel supplies between the neighbours and boost supply security.
"The recent disruptions to oil supplies in the region have shown the vulnerability of the energy infrastructure and the need to diversify supply routes and sources," it said.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague and Anita Komuves in Budapest, Editing by Louise Heavens)
