Doubts over Druzhba exports

摘要

Firms that pump crude to eastern Europe along the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline are waiting before signing 2015 delivery deals, concerned by transit risks resulting from the volatile situation in Ukraine. Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Bosnia-Herzegovina receive crude through the southern spur, which handled 302,000 b/d (12.72mn t) in January-October, down by 5,000 b/d (230,000t) on the same period last year. Mol’s refineries in Hungary and Slovakia receive 71pc of southern Druzhba supplies, or 214,000 b/d (9mn t) in January-October. Lukoil has a direct deal with Mol, while Tatneft, Bashneft and small producers deliver through trading firm Normeston, and Russneft and Neftisa ship through Glencore.