Hungary’s MOL Sees Druzhba Oil Flows Restarting as Soon as Aug. 27

Hungarian energy company MOL said crude shipments through the Druzhba pipeline, halted after recent attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, could resume as early as 27–28 August, although flows may not reach full capacity. Executive Chairman Zsolt Hernádi told the news site Mandiner that MOL has been supplying its two refineries from operational reserves during the interruption. Hernádi warned that if Druzhba deliveries stop completely, MOL may need to tap Hungary’s strategic oil reserves and increase imports via the Adriatic pipeline, an alternative route that may not provide enough crude to run both refineries at full capacity. Hungary and Slovakia are exempt from EU sanctions on Russian crude, allowing continued purchases even if the route shifts. The chairman added that a prolonged outage could force Slovakia to draw on its strategic stocks and curb fuel exports, cutting Hungarian fuel imports by about 20% and halting roughly one-seventh of Ukraine’s diesel supply that transits through Hungary. MOL said it will reassess supply plans if Druzhba flows do not resume by 1 September.