Prague proposed funding technical work to reverse and expand the Druzhba link. Officials say initial investment could reach 1 billion Czech crowns.
In Prague, the Czech Republic expressed readiness to invest in modernizing and expanding a section of the Druzhba pipeline to ensure oil deliveries to Slovakia. Such statements were made by Minister of Industry Karel Havlíček during a meeting with Slovakia’s Minister of Economy Denisa Saková.
According to Czech officials, after the expansion of the TAL hub, extending from Italy to Germany, imports of Russian oil via Druzhba were suspended. Options for reversing the Czech section of the route to Slovakia were also discussed.
The Czech position on reverse flow and expected investments
“We proposed to Slovakia the possibility of using the reverse flow of the Druzhba pipeline. In other words, we are ready to start investing in technical measures so that oil can be supplied from the Czech Republic to Slovakia”
– Karel Havlíček
In the initial stage, the expected investments could amount to up to 1 billion Czech korunas (about 47 million US dollars). According to the minister, in emergency mode Slovakia could receive tens of thousands of tons of oil per month, and over time throughput could reach 2–3 million tons per year.
Supply context and EU support
As part of the discussions, general restrictions on supplies through the region were also mentioned following disruptions to energy infrastructure earlier in the year. In late February, Slovak and Hungarian supplies of Russian oil were halted, and authorities are seeking transit options and the restoration of system operation.
On March 17, the European Union offered Ukraine support and financing to accelerate repairs on the Druzhba oil pipeline, aimed at restoring stable supply for importing countries.