Hungary and Slovakia are advancing plans to strengthen energy logistics with a new cross-border pipeline designed to transport refined petroleum products between the two countries. The project will connect MOL’s key refineries in both nations and is scheduled for completion during the first half of next year.
The pipeline will extend approximately 127 kilometers and is expected to handle up to 1.65 million tons of fuel annually. Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto noted that the infrastructure will primarily carry diesel, petrol, and selected chemical feedstocks originating from Slovakia.
Under MOL’s plan, the pipeline will supply Hungary with at least 1.1 million tons of diesel each year from the Slovak refinery. This represents roughly one third of Hungary’s total diesel consumption, highlighting the strategic importance of the connection for the country’s fuel supply system.
The project is also expected to significantly improve logistics and reduce the environmental footprint of fuel transportation between the refineries. Once operational, the pipeline will replace around 1.5 million tons of fuel currently transported by rail. Additionally, petroleum shipments along the Danube between the facilities are projected to decrease by about 200,000 tons per year.
Technical adjustments are planned primarily on the Slovak side of the system. The pipeline will consist of pipes with a 30-centimeter diameter, and pressure will be increased in the Slovak section to ensure smooth fuel delivery toward Hungary. No new pumping stations are required on the Hungarian side.
Although the refineries have been connected by a crude oil pipeline since 2015, the new infrastructure will enable direct transfer of refined products, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution. The pipeline was first outlined in MOL Group’s 2021 infrastructure development strategy, with construction starting toward the end of 2025.
