SLOVAKIA'S crude oil refinery, Slovnaft, has asked the government to let it use crude oil from the state’s material reserves due to a stoppage in the flow of oil from Russia.
While the oil pipelines from Russia to Europe remain closed due to an ongoing dispute with Belarus, Slovnaft is looking for ways to ensure a continued supply of crude oil. The cabinet is to deal with Slovnaft's request today.
Slovak PM Robert Fico has already met with the economy minister, the head of the State Material Reserves Administration (SŠHR), and Slovnaft representatives to discuss the situation.
Spokeswoman for Slovnaft Kristina Felová confirmed that the refinery is still processing crude oil and producing motor fuels from its existing supplies.
However, since the company cannot foresee how long the supply of Russian oil to Slovakia via the Družba pipeline will be cut off, it has asked the SŠHR for access to the state’s oil reserves.
Russia has accused Belarus of stealing oil from the Družba pipeline, and shut off crude oil exports to Minsk on January 7, thereby also halting supplies to Poland, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Representatives of these countries, as well as of the European Union, are working to get the taps turned on again.
