Slovakia allowed to export Russian-origin oil products

Slovakia has received an exemption from EU sanctions on Russian oil, allowing it to continue exporting oil products, particularly diesel fuel, to Ukraine. According to Reuters, this was stated by the Minister of Economy of Slovakia, Karel Hirman.

Slovakia’s leading oil refiner Slovnaft, part of the Hungarian energy company MOL, faced the need to stop exporting products refined from Russian oil to most markets after the sanctions came into force on February 5 next year.

This sanctions exemption allows Slovnaft to export refined products to Ukraine, which has faced severe electricity and heating shortages this winter caused by Russian missile attacks on critical energy infrastructure.

“We managed to agree on the exemption of Slovakia, Slovnaft from the sanctions regime, which comes into force after February 5. Thanks to this, Slovnaft will be able to export all petroleum products to the Czech Republic and Ukraine, which will help stabilize the production and operating results of our Slovnaft refinery next year,” Girman said.

The agency notes that Slovakia receives almost 100% of its crude oil from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine.
But Slovnaft plans to cut the share to about 60% next year to preserve its potential for exports to other markets.

Currently, Slovnaft’s refinery exports a significant portion of its output of 124 thousand barrels per day. Earlier, the company said it was testing different blends to replace some of its supplies from Russia.