Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Slovakia’s government has activated emergency procedures in the oil sector after a halt in crude deliveries through a key pipeline route that runs across Ukrainian territory. The measure, approved by the cabinet, is intended to stabilise domestic fuel supply and ensure continued operation of the country’s main refinery near Bratislava.
As part of the decision, the state will make a portion of its strategic petroleum reserves available to the Slovnaft refinery on a temporary basis. Officials indicated that the volume released should allow the plant to continue operating at a reduced level for several weeks while alternative delivery channels are arranged. The oil is to be returned to national reserves at a later date under agreed financial guarantees.
The disruption in pipeline flows has limited the refinery’s access to its usual source of raw material, forcing it to scale back production and seek other import options. One of the alternatives under consideration is increased use of a southern route linking Slovakia to ports on the Adriatic Sea, although transport costs on that corridor are reported to be significantly higher.
Company representatives said tankers carrying crude have already been ordered and that a return to full output is expected once regular supply lines are restored or replacement shipments arrive. In the meantime, one of the refinery’s processing units has been shut down and another is running below normal capacity.
The government described the emergency status as a temporary step designed to prevent shortages on the domestic market. The arrangement allowing the refinery to draw from state stocks is expected to remain in effect for several months, depending on how quickly stable import routes can be secured.
At the same time, Slovakia and Hungary have appealed to European authorities to permit the use of maritime deliveries of Russian oil via existing pipeline infrastructure in Croatia, arguing that the interruption of pipeline transit has created an exceptional situation. European officials have yet to issue a final decision on the request.
