The Druzhba pipeline’s oil flow to the Czech Republic was interrupted on Wednesday, with the cause still unclear.
Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek assured that the country’s oil supplies are secure, supported by 90 days of reserves. Mero, the state pipeline operator, confirmed that alternative routes, including the TAL and IKL pipelines from Trieste, remain fully operational.
Transition Away from Russian Oil
The disruption comes as the Czech Republic’s EU exemption for importing Russian pipeline oil expires on Thursday. The exemption, granted in 2022, allowed time to reduce reliance on Russian energy.
Prague has doubled the capacity of the Transalpine pipeline to eight million metric tonnes annually, preparing to transition entirely to alternative oil sources. Officials confirmed they will not seek an extension of the exemption.
Czech Republic’s Commitment to Energy Security
As a strong supporter of Ukraine, the Czech Republic continues to invest in energy independence. Prime Minister Petr Fiala has called stopping Russian aggression essential for European peace and stability.