On April 25, 2019, at 21:43, JSC "Ukrtransnafta" was forced to suspend the transit of oil through the oil trunk pipeline (TB) "Mozyr-Brody" (TP "Druzhba").
This is stated in the official statement of the operator of the oil transportation system of Ukraine.
The company made such a decision made pursuant to the agreement on provision of services on oil transportation through the territory of Ukraine. Under the terms of this agreement, “Ukrtransnafta” has the right to stop the reception of Russian oil, if the raw material does not meet the quality indicators.
All material losses are imposed on the party that did not fulfill its duties.
In addition, the operator of the oil transportation system “Ukrtransnafta” is forced to resort to such actions in connection with the refusal to accept poor-quality Russian oil at the acceptance section of “Budkovce” (Slovakia) and due to the lack of free tanks for the acceptance sections of “Feneshlitke” oil (Hungary).
The recovery time of oil pumping through the oil pipeline "Mozyr-Brody" will be announced later.
According to the President of the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI" Mykhailo Honchar, there is no need to be in a hurry to restore the pipeline.
"We need to use the early warning mechanism in accordance with the EU - Ukraine Association Agreement, because refineries and operators of oil transportation systems in Poland and Slovakia have stopped receiving Russian oil. Slovak "Transpetrol" stopped receiving oil from the system of "Ukrtransnafta". This means an emergency situation between Ukraine and the EU in connection with the actions of a third party!"- the expert said.
Also Honchar offers an algorithm for further action in accordance with the Annex to the Association Agreement:
1. Ukraine and the EU establish an "Early warning mechanism" to consolidate practical measures aimed at preventing and responding quickly to emergencies or threats of an emergency. This involves an early assessment of potential risks and problems associated with supply and demand for natural gas, oil or electricity and prevention and rapid response in the event of an emergency or threat of an emergency.
2. In the context of this Annex, an emergency is a situation that causes a significant disruption / physical stoppage in the supply of natural gas, oil or electricity between Ukraine and the European Union.
3. In the context of this Annex, the focal points are the Ministry of energy of Ukraine and the member of the European Commission responsible for energy.
The expert emphasizes that the decision to resume transit should be made only based on the results of the audit, which should be attended by experts from the companies of OTS operators: "Gomel Transneft Druzhba", "Ukrtransnafta", PERN "Przyazn", "Transpetrol", mero- (Czech Republic), PKN "Orlen", MOL, representatives of the European Commission.
"And then we will see how they will block the supply of petroleum products and to issue passports in the isolated districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions," he concluded.
As "Apostrophe. Economy" reported earlier, Ukraine does not import oil from Russia and almost does not buy gasoline from this country. Read more in the article – “Ban on the export of petroleum products from Russia to Ukraine: what will happen to the price of gasoline”.