Russian oil supplies to the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline were reportedly halted on Tuesday, with no immediate reason given and local refiner Unipetrol saying it had asked to tap state reserves.
Russia briefly halted supplies via the pipeline in December in a dispute over payments which affected the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.
Czech Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček told local news agency CTK on Tuesday that flows had stopped but that state reserves would prevent any disruptions.
"Refineries ...are well prepared for this situation," he said. "I must reassure everyone that there is enough oil for the needs of households and companies."
Czech pipeline operator Mero said state reserves could cover oil and oil product needs for up to 90 days.
Refiner Unipetrol said fuel production at its refineries in Litvinov and Kralupy and Vltavou was at full capacity but that it had requested an oil loan from the State Material Reserves Administration.
Refiner MOL said crude supply to its refineries was uninterrupted. It owns refineries in Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia.
The Czech Republic imports Russian crude through Druzhba and other crudes via the TAL pipeline running from Italy to Germany and on to the Czech Republic.
Vlček said in the event of a long-term stoppage to flows via Druzhba the country could switch to the TAL pipeline, which was recently upgraded.
The Czech Republic has worked to wean itself off Russian energy since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but was exempt from European Union sanctions on Russian pipeline oil.
Unipetrol's Polish parent firm Orlen said it operates in accordance with sanctions laws and regulations.
Czech Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček told local news agency CTK on Tuesday that flows had stopped but that state reserves would prevent any disruptions.
"Refineries ...are well prepared for this situation," he said. "I must reassure everyone that there is enough oil for the needs of households and companies."
Czech pipeline operator Mero said state reserves could cover oil and oil product needs for up to 90 days.
Refiner Unipetrol said fuel production at its refineries in Litvinov and Kralupy and Vltavou was at full capacity but that it had requested an oil loan from the State Material Reserves Administration.
Refiner MOL said crude supply to its refineries was uninterrupted. It owns refineries in Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia.
The Czech Republic imports Russian crude through Druzhba and other crudes via the TAL pipeline running from Italy to Germany and on to the Czech Republic.
Vlček said in the event of a long-term stoppage to flows via Druzhba the country could switch to the TAL pipeline, which was recently upgraded.
The Czech Republic has worked to wean itself off Russian energy since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but was exempt from European Union sanctions on Russian pipeline oil.
Unipetrol's Polish parent firm Orlen said it operates in accordance with sanctions laws and regulations.
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