The state-owned company Transnafta has paused its public procurement process for the Hungary-Serbia oil pipeline, following a formal request for legal protection. This decision comes as the project faces scrutiny and challenges that could impact its timeline and execution.
The tender process, which commenced at the end of December, has already undergone multiple revisions. Initially scheduled to wrap up on February 5, the deadline for bid submissions has now been pushed to February 26. The documentation related to the tender has been amended five times, primarily to incorporate clarifications and adjustments to the bidding requirements.
This oil pipeline is projected to cover approximately 113 kilometers within Serbian territory, with plans for it to be entirely underground. It is designed to facilitate an annual transport capacity of 5.5 million tons of crude oil, starting from the Horgos border crossing and concluding at Transnafta’s terminal in Novi Sad.
The planned corridor will traverse several municipalities, including Kanjiža, Senta, Ada, Bečej, Žabalj, and Novi Sad itself, following a predominantly north-to-south alignment. While specific contract values have not been disclosed in the tender documentation, earlier estimates suggested that the Serbian segment could cost up to 157 million euros.
Strategically, this project is deemed crucial for enhancing regional energy connectivity between Hungary and Serbia, reflecting broader efforts to improve energy infrastructure across Southeast Europe.
