Slovnaft Plans to Continue Russian Oil Imports After €200 Million Infrastructure Investment

Slovakia's largest oil refinery, Slovnaft, intends to keep importing Russian crude oil even after completing a €200 million investment project designed to process alternative oil sources, the company announced. The Bratislava-based refinery expects to finish the infrastructure upgrades by the third quarter of 2027, which will enable it to handle oil from non-Russian suppliers. However, Slovnaft stated it would continue processing Russian oil after that date unless prevented by sanctions. The announcement comes after Slovnaft faced significant supply disruptions earlier this year, when it was unable to import oil through the Druzhba pipeline from late January to April. Russian oil currently accounts for half of the refinery's imports. The €200 million investment represents Slovakia's effort to reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies, as European Union sanctions and supply chain vulnerabilities have highlighted the risks of relying heavily on a single source. Slovnaft is owned by Hungarian energy company MOL and serves as a critical piece of Central European energy infrastructure. The company's decision to maintain Russian oil imports after diversification investments are complete underscores the complex balance between energy security and geopolitical considerations facing European refineries. The timeline for completion in 2027 aligns with broader EU efforts to reduce Russian energy dependence, though the pace and extent of this transition varies across member states.