Hungary's MOL says it can cover 80% of its needs with non-Russian oil
Photo: EPA / Robert Hegedus

The Hungarian oil company MOL, which operates refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, has said that the Croatian pipeline could be an alternative for about 80% of its supplies if Russian oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline is suspended. According to Bloomberg .

"If the flow of crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline is significantly reduced, MOL could increase the use of the Adriatic pipeline and supply about 80% of its landlocked refineries, although this would entail higher technical risks and logistics costs," MOL's earnings report says.

The agency emphasized that the announcement was a "turning point" after months of Hungarian statements that there was no alternative to oil supplies from Russia. In addition, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and MOL have consistently downplayed the potential role of the Adriatic pipeline and expressed doubts about its capacity.

The Adria oil pipeline (600 km) was built in 1979 and connects the cities of Omisalj (northwestern Croatia) and Sazhalombatta (central Hungary). The pipeline route passes through Croatia, Serbia and Hungary, with separate lines to Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The company's statement came a few hours before Orban's meeting with US President Donald Trump .