Hungary and Slovakia are set to enhance their energy logistics through a new cross-border pipeline aimed at transporting refined petroleum products. This infrastructure project will link key refineries operated by MOL in both countries and is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2024.
The pipeline will span approximately 127 kilometers and is designed to manage an annual throughput of up to 1.65 million tons of fuel. According to Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto, the primary products transported will include diesel, petrol, and select chemical feedstocks sourced from Slovakia.
MOL’s strategic plan outlines that this pipeline will provide Hungary with a minimum of 1.1 million tons of diesel each year, which accounts for about one-third of the nation’s total diesel consumption. This connection underscores the critical role the pipeline will play in strengthening Hungary’s fuel supply infrastructure.
Moreover, the project is poised to enhance logistical efficiency and diminish the environmental impact associated with fuel transportation between the refineries. Upon becoming operational, it is expected to replace approximately 1.5 million tons of fuel that are currently transported by rail. Additionally, shipments along the Danube River between these facilities are projected to decrease by around 200,000 tons annually.
Most technical modifications are planned for the Slovak segment of the system. The pipeline will utilize pipes with a diameter of 30 centimeters, with pressure adjustments made on the Slovak side to facilitate smooth fuel delivery into Hungary. Notably, no new pumping stations will be needed on the Hungarian side of the operation.
This new infrastructure builds upon an existing crude oil pipeline that has linked these refineries since 2015 but introduces a more direct method for transferring refined products. The initiative was initially detailed in MOL Group’s infrastructure development strategy published in 2021, with construction slated to commence toward the end of 2025.
