Germany has not used Russian crude oil since the beginning of the year. However, a replacement is provided.
After the import stop for Russian pipeline oil, the PCK refinery in Schwedt is now getting enough replacement for a capacity utilization of 70 percent, according to government sources. Corresponding amounts of oil would come to the plant in Brandenburg by tanker via Rostock and the Polish port of Gdansk, the German Press Agency learned from the Federal Ministry of Economics.
The shareholders of the refinery are in negotiations about additional quantities from Kazakhstan. A first delivery from there is still planned for February, it said.
Since the beginning of the year, Germany has dispensed with Russian crude oil, which until then had flowed via the Druschba pipeline to the large east German refineries in Schwedt in Brandenburg and in Leuna in Saxony-Anhalt. The two systems therefore need replacement. Leuna secured deliveries via the port of Gdansk at an early stage. Schwedt is partly supplied with oil via a pipeline from the port of Rostock and is now getting additional quantities via Danzig.
A first delivery for the PCK refinery arrived on January 20 via Gdansk, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Two more deliveries of at least the same size via Gdansk for Schwedt have been announced for February. With both delivery routes via Rostock and Gdansk, the facility can currently be utilized at 70 percent.
This is the capacity that State Secretary for Economic Affairs Michael Kellner (Greens) promised in December for January. In January, however, the PCK company only spoke of 55 percent capacity utilization. This fueled concerns about possible supply bottlenecks and possibly rising prices in eastern Germany.
In perspective, 1.2 million tons of crude oil per year could come from Kazakhstan, which could improve utilization. The problem: Kazakhstan wants to use the Russian Druzhba line for the delivery, so it needs approval from Moscow. In addition, fees are due. However, these are low, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Source: Stern
