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Czech imports of Russian oil at least expensive in more than a decade, minister says

The Czech Republic's imports of Russian oil have actually been up to their most affordable level since at least 2012, Market Minister Jozef Sikela stated on Tuesday, with just 40% of oil imports originating from Russia in the very first half of 2024.

The Czech federal government wishes to end the nation's use of Russian oil next year and is expanding capacity on the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL) to change materials coming from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline.

Imports from Russia represented 58% and 56% of the nation's imported oil in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Only 40% of the total volume of imported oil was imported from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline (in the very first half),. Sikela stated on X social media platform on Tuesday.

The Czech Republic, with a population of 10.9 million, had. crude oil requirements of 7.4 million lots last year.

The nation imports oil through the Druzhba pipeline through. Ukraine and through the IKL pipeline which is connected to the TAL. pipeline in Germany. Druzhba flows have actually been a pillar for 60. years.

The drop in Russian oil imports comes as main European. neighbours Slovakia and Hungary face a halt in circulations originating from. Russian group Lukoil after the company was placed on a. sanctions list in Ukraine, avoiding the transit of deliveries.

Czech refiner Orlen Unipetrol, owned by Poland's Orlen. , has actually not been impacted as Lukoil is not a supplier. It. says its Russian oil circulations have actually been stable.

The nations utilizing the Druzhba pipeline have been given. exemptions from European Union sanctions on Russian oil, providing. them more time to shift to alternative sources of supply.

(source: Reuters)