Druzhba Flows Resume but Remain Below Pre-War Levels

Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline returned to around 165,000 barrels per day in May, according to three industry sources cited by Reuters. It was the first full month of operation after shipments were halted in late January by damage Ukraine attributed to a Russian air strike. Repairs were completed in April.

In April, when the pipeline operated for only the final week of the month, flows to both countries averaged around 55,000 barrels per day. Current volumes, while significantly higher, remain well short of the 200,000 to 235,000 barrels per day recorded before the shutdown.

Hungarian company MOL, which operates refineries in both countries, said it was continuing to diversify its supply sources. It has purchased ten different crude types this year and is exploring alternative transportation options, including potentially the Odessa route.

Russia continues to supply oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline under an exemption from EU sanctions. Transit of Kazakh oil to Germany via the northern branch has remained suspended since May.

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