Poland aims to repair leak in Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline by Tuesday.
Poland aims to repair leak in Russia's Druzhba oil pipeline by Tuesday.
Major Leak Detected on the Druzhba Pipeline in Poland: Impacts and Expectations
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Warshaw, Aug 6 (ANBLE) – Polish pipeline operator PERN has recently faced a setback as it detected a major leak in the central part of Poland along the Druzhba pipeline. This pipeline serves as a crucial link between Russia and Europe. However, PERN remains positive, expecting the pumping operations to resume by Tuesday.
PERN has assured that there is no evidence indicating that a third party is responsible for the leak. It is important to note that this incident follows a series of attacks on pipelines carrying Russian oil and gas since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. PERN has swiftly responded to the issue, deploying their services to the affected area in the Chodecz commune.
“It is the main line that transports crude oil from sea deliveries to the west. Repair work on the oil pipeline is currently underway. The expected time for pumping to resume is Tuesday morning,” stated PERN. The pipeline operator has not provided any specific details regarding the potential impact on oil supply to Germany. However, the German federal Economy Ministry reassured that the security of supply is fully guaranteed.
The leak site has been cordoned off, ensuring it is isolated from the rest of the pipeline. Grzegorz Jankowski from the State Fire Services in Wloclawek stated, “The part of the pipeline that was affected by the leak was cut off from the rest, so the scale of the leak is not huge, we’re talking about a rectangular area measuring 30 by 210 meters (yards).”
Firefighters and PERN emergency services promptly rushed to the scene. Fortunately, no reports of a fire have been received, easing concerns about potential safety hazards. PERN has emphasized that the second line, which is currently operational, poses no health threats to local residents.
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It is worth noting that the supply to Polish refineries remains unaffected. Furthermore, PERN is in constant communication with its German partners who receive oil through the pipeline. Although Germany halted the purchase of Russian oil in January, there have been reports suggesting the import of Kazakh oil through the Druzhba pipeline. However, the German industry association for fuels and energy has yet to comment on the matter.
While this incident has impacted a section of the Druzhba pipeline, PERN assures that other elements of its infrastructure, including the Pomeranian section used for pumping crude oil arriving in tankers to Poland and Germany, are operating normally.
The Druzhba oil pipeline is of significant global importance, with a capacity to carry 2 million barrels per day. The western section of the pipeline, responsible for transporting oil from central Poland to Germany, can carry up to 27 million tonnes of crude oil annually.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there has been a significant drop in oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline. Moreover, the pipeline infrastructure has been targeted multiple times in attacks, which Moscow claims have been orchestrated by Ukraine. However, Ukraine has not acknowledged its involvement in these attacks.
Energy security has remained a pressing concern in Europe. The discovery of major leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, running from Russia to Europe under the Baltic Sea in September, exacerbated these concerns. Unexplained explosions resulted in ruptures in both pipelines. Moscow has accused Ukraine and the West of being responsible for these blasts. In response, European countries were already reducing their reliance on Russian energy due to the invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Western leaders, however, deny any responsibility, considering the attacks as acts of sabotage that warrant thorough investigation.
In conclusion, PERN’s detection of a major leak along the Druzhba pipeline has temporarily halted pumping operations. Despite the challenges, PERN is actively working to repair the affected section and expects normal operations to resume by Tuesday. The incident underscores the ongoing security concerns surrounding energy infrastructure in Europe and the impacts of geopolitical tensions on critical supply chains. As the situation develops, monitoring the progress of repairs and taking precautions to mitigate potential risks will be crucial for the region’s energy stability.
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