Restoration work at MOL’s flagship Danube refinery is now expected to continue into the third quarter of 2026, after which the facility is planned to resume full operations.
The extended outage follows a fire in October at the refinery’s AV3 crude distillation unit. An internal technical review determined that the incident was caused by a mechanical failure, which led to the rupture of a pump. MOL emphasized that the investigation ruled out human error, deliberate action, or external interference as contributing factors.
While repair planning is already underway, MOL cautioned that the timelines are preliminary, as the full scope of engineering, procurement, and construction work is still being finalized. As more detailed information becomes available, the duration of the refurbishment may change.
The company confirmed that the refinery is fully insured, covering both physical damage and lost income, though the claims and damage assessment process is ongoing.
In the meantime, MOL is adjusting its supply strategy to mitigate the impact of reduced output. The group has ramped up processing of semi-finished feedstock and now anticipates an average production shortfall of around 30% during the repair period, with fluctuations as restoration progresses.
To maintain fuel availability across its markets, MOL plans to increase product transfers from its Bratislava refinery and rely more on third-party imports from the wider region.
The fire occurred on 20 October 2025 and was contained within the AV3 distillation unit. Emergency response teams from MOL and neighboring municipalities brought the blaze under control by the following day. No injuries were reported, though specialized firefighting equipment and materials were deployed to safely extinguish the fire and prevent further damage.
