The Croatian pipeline operator JANAF and the Hungarian energy firm MOL have embarked on a significant initiative to conduct long-term capacity testing of the JANAF pipeline. This testing will be overseen by an independent international monitoring team, aiming to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the pipeline’s actual transport capabilities. This move comes in response to ongoing disputes regarding throughput limits that have persisted for years.
The stress testing process is designed to assess the pipeline’s performance during peak demand scenarios and under sustained operational conditions across various seasons and weather situations. MOL has emphasized the necessity for objective measurements to align previously reported annual capacity estimates, which range from 11 to 15 million tons, with historically lower transport volumes observed in specific sections of the pipeline.
Ongoing discussions are particularly focused on the transit of Russian crude shipments arriving by sea. MOL has sought assurances that these shipments can be processed through the JANAF system while adhering to European Union sanctions. In contrast, JANAF has requested additional time to analyze EU regulations and ensure compliance with both EU and US sanctions frameworks.
MOL has raised concerns that requiring individual permits for each shipment could impose administrative barriers that would disrupt a continuous supply chain. The company argues that transit should be allowed when neither the transporter nor the cargo is listed on official sanctions lists, especially given that alternative routes such as the Druzhba pipeline are not available. Furthermore, MOL has pointed out issues regarding transit tariffs, asserting that fees charged through JANAF surpass average European rates per 100 kilometers, which raises questions about market competitiveness.
This ongoing debate highlights the strategic significance of diversified supply routes within Central and Southeastern Europe. MOL advocates for maintaining at least two fully functional and commercially viable oil corridors in the region. In addition to ensuring that JANAF’s infrastructure meets operational demands, MOL supports initiatives aimed at enhancing alternative connections, including potential projects to link the Druzhba system with Black Sea routes through a revival of the Odessa-Brody pipeline.
