The Polish energy group Orlen is in talks to acquire the PCK oil refinery located in Schwedt, Germany. The discussions were confirmed by a government representative from Poland, Anna Lukashevskaya-Tretyakovskaya, who noted that negotiations are continuing and declined to offer further details about a potential purchase.
In a separate statement, Lukashevskaya-Tretyakovskaya said that no additional information could be shared beyond the ongoing talks, which keeps the outcome uncertain for now. Earlier remarks from Orlen’s leadership indicated a willingness to proceed with the Schwedt acquisition if the refinery is not controlled by any Russian entity.
Historically, the PCK plant relied heavily on Russian crude routed through the Druzhba pipeline, with an annual processing capacity of about 11.6 million tonnes. The refinery’s prospects have become murky amid ongoing sanctions affecting Russian energy assets and the broader geopolitical environment.
Ownership of the refinery previously included Rosneft Deutschland with a 37.5 percent stake, AET with 25 percent (a Rosneft and Eni joint venture), and Shell Deutschland with 37.5 percent. In 2022, German authorities shifted Rosneft’s subsidiaries to control under a state agency, a move that occurred despite objections from the Russian owner.
Securing PCK would enable Orlen to diversify its crude supply away from Russian sources and strengthen its footprint in the German market. Industry analysts suggest that such a deal could bolster energy security in the region by reducing dependence on a single supplier and enhancing cross-border supply resilience.
Meanwhile, Poland announced the completion of repairs to a damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline within its territory at the start of August, a development that could influence cross-border energy flows and regional planning for oil transit. The broader strategic context includes ongoing transitions in European energy supply chains as countries pursue greater diversification and reliability of their crude imports.
Discussions about Russian oil supply shifts have gained attention in the United States and other markets, reflecting a broader reevaluation of energy sourcing in response to sanctions and geopolitical tensions. Observers note that any decision by Orlen to move ahead with the Schwedt refinery would align with Poland’s broader energy security objectives and Germany’s interest in maintaining stable refinery capacity within the European supply network, even as market conditions evolve.