Čepro successfully tests diesel transport to Slovakia, infrastructure passes

State-owned fuel distributor Čepro today successfully completed a pilot test of cross-border fuel transport to Slovakia. Using the Czech product pipeline infrastructure, it transported 200 cubic metres of diesel fuel to a Slovak refinery. According to the company, the tests confirmed the infrastructure's technical readiness for cross-border fuel supplies, Čepro said.

During today's test, 200 cubic metres of diesel were transported from Čepro's terminal in Klobouky near Brno to the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava. According to Čepro, the test results confirmed the infrastructure's technical readiness for cross-border supplies and also verified the operational, logistical and administrative processes established between the Czech and Slovak sides.

"Energy security is not just a matter of sufficient stocks. Equally important is the ability to transport these stocks quickly and reliably to where they are needed when necessary. Today's test confirmed that the Czech product pipeline infrastructure has capabilities that can make a significant contribution to strengthening the resilience not only of the Czech Republic, but of the entire Central European region," said Jan Duspěva, chairman of Čepro's board of directors.

Čepro also noted that, even after today's test, it plans to use the product pipeline primarily as a transport route from the MOL Group's Bratislava refinery to Moravia.

The test followed a joint initiative by the two countries aimed at strengthening their energy security and verifying the potential for mutual support in fuel supplies. This spring, the Czech government discussed with Slovakia the possibility of supplying fuels to the Czech Republic from the Slovnaft refinery there. This was a response to the threat of supply disruptions from Germany, from which the Czech Republic sources around 30 percent of domestic consumption. Conversely, last year the Czech Republic offered Slovakia crude oil supplies after its deliveries via Ukraine were interrupted.