Czech Republic Asserts Confidence Amid Potential Oil Supply Halt From Russia

The Czech Republic is not concerned about a potential halt in oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia through Ukraine. Energy Security Envoy Vaclav Bartuska mentioned that increased capacity from the TAL pipeline would suffice for the nation's needs, aiming for Russian oil independence by 2025.

The Czech Republic remains unfazed by a possible cessation of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia through Ukraine, according to the nation's energy security envoy, Vaclav Bartuska, on Friday.

Reacting to comments made by Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak about halting Russian oil flows by January, Bartuska stated that previous warnings have been given but assured that Czech's oil needs would remain unaffected. "This is not the first time; this time maybe they mean it seriously - we shall see. For the Czech Republic, it is not a problem," Bartuska mentioned.

To diminish reliance on the Druzhba pipeline, the Czech state-owned pipeline operator MERO has been enhancing the TAL pipeline's capacity from Italy to Germany, which connects to the IKL pipeline that supplies the Czech Republic. By next year, this increased capacity will fulfill the needs of the nation's two Orlen-owned refineries, estimated at 8 million tons of crude annually. MERO aims for full independence from Russian oil by 2025, with the TAL upgrade expected to complete by June 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)