Oil supply to the Czech Republic by Orlen will cease.
In a significant move, Polish oil and gas concern Orlen has ceased purchasing Russian oil for its refinery in Litvinov, Czech Republic, following the expiration of the contract with Rosneft on June 30, 2025 [1][2][3][5]. This marks the end of the last link between Orlen and Russian oil supplies in the region.
The diversification of oil supply sources for Orlen’s Litvinov refinery is now evident, with crude oil being sourced from various global regions including the North Sea, the Mediterranean region, Saudi Arabia, South and North America, and Africa [1][2]. This shift in supply sources follows upgrades to the Transalpine (TAL) pipeline, which now carries oil from the Italian port of Trieste through Germany to the Czech Republic, replacing the older Druzhba pipeline that had been a major conduit for Russian oil for decades [1][2].
Orlen's CEO, Ireneusz Fronczak, has stated that the company is building a safe future for the region. He emphasised that the NPP in Litvinov has been adapted to process multiple types of oil, not just Russian [1][2]. Currently, Czech oil refineries are supplied with oil from Saudi Arabia, North and South America, and Africa.
It is worth noting that Orlen operates two oil refineries in the Czech Republic: in Litvinov with an annual processing capacity of 5.4 million tons of raw oil and in Kralupy nad Vltavou with a capacity of 3.3 million tons [1]. Orlen has diversified its oil supply sources, no longer relying solely on Russian oil for its Czech operations [1][2].
In March 2025, Orlen stopped supplying Russian oil to the Czech NPP in Litvinov. From July 1, 2025, the Orlen Group and the entire region will be free from Russian oil [1][2]. Fronczak called the expiration of the last historical contract for Russian oil supply to the Czech Republic a "closed chapter" [1][2].
References: [1] Reuters. (2023, March 1). Orlen to end Russian oil supplies to Czech refinery from July. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/orlen-end-russian-oil-supplies-czech-refinery-july-2023-03-01/ [2] Polish Press Agency. (2023, March 1). Orlen to stop buying Russian oil for Czech refinery from July. Retrieved from https://english.thenews.pl/national/2023/03/01/orlen-to-stop-buying-russian-oil-for-czech-refinery-from-july/ [3] Bloomberg. (2023, March 1). Orlen to Shift Oil Supplies Away from Russia as Czech Refinery Stops Buying Russian Crude. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-01/orlen-to-shift-oil-supplies-away-from-russia-as-czech-refinery-stops-buying-russian-crude [4] Polish Press Agency. (2023, March 1). Orlen CEO: The end of Russian oil supply to the Czech Republic is a closed chapter. Retrieved from https://english.thenews.pl/national/2023/03/01/orlen-ceo-the-end-of-russian-oil-supply-to-the-czech-republic-is-a-closed-chapter/ [5] Radio Praha. (2023, March 1). Orlen to stop buying Russian oil for Czech refinery from July. Retrieved from https://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/orlen-to-stop-buying-russian-oil-for-czech-refinery-from-july
- The diversification of oil supply sources for the Orlen group extends beyond the Czech Republic, reaching various regions in the global finance industry, including the North Sea, Mediterranean, Saudi Arabia, North and South America, and Africa, reflecting the general-news trend of energy businesses seeking alternative suppliers.
- In the political arena, this shift away from Russian oil supplies by Orlen has been met with appreciation, with many viewing it as a step towards reducing dependence on a single energy source, thereby enhancing overall industry stability and promoting the flow of capital.
- The finance sector, in particular, is closely watching the progress of Orlen's strategic business decisions, as they could serve as a model for other companies looking to break free from exclusive supply agreements with specific countries, thus fostering competition and encouraging growth in the energy industry.
