Daniel Obaitek, the head of the Polish oil and gas group Orlen, announced that Russia has halted oil deliveries to Poland via the Druzhba pipeline. The news was shared on Twitter, where he confirmed the disruption and outlined the immediate implications for Poland’s energy supply.
According to Obaitek, Russia’s decision to stop shipments means Poland will absorb only a fraction of the lost supply from other sources. He stated that about 10% of the Russian oil previously entering Poland will be compensated by alternative suppliers, underscoring the crest of a broader strategic shift in how Poland sources its crude.
Obaitek highlighted that this development is largely the result of years of diversification in Poland’s energy imports. Over the past several years, Poland has invested in a more resilient supply network, including the ability to import crude and refined products from multiple routes and partners. This diversification is presented as a buffer against single-source disruptions and a way to maintain energy security in a volatile regional context.
The executive promised to share more detailed information on Poland’s oil supply arrangements at a conference scheduled for February 28. He indicated that attendees would gain a clearer understanding of the current supply mix, potential interim measures, and longer-term plans to ensure a stable flow of crude to Polish refiners and end users.
Meanwhile, a February 18 report from the German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung raised questions about ongoing Russian oil trade linked to Poland and neighboring Germany. The article suggested that Polish crude intake continued to include Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, despite prior announcements of a reversal in policy. It asserted that the northern leg of Druzhba had supplied oil to both Poland and Germany, with Germany reportedly cutting purchases from Russia as of January. The piece noted that Poland’s stance differed from Germany’s timing, highlighting a broader debate about synchronized energy strategy across the region.
Observers emphasize that the Druzhba pipeline has long served as a key corridor for crude transfers between Russia and Central Europe. The current pause or reduction in shipments to Poland and related shifts in German purchase patterns are part of a wider reconfiguration of supply routes in response to geopolitical pressure, sanctions, and market dynamics. Analysts cautioned that ongoing changes could lead to short-term price volatility and necessitate adjustments in refinery operations, storage management, and strategic stock levels. The situation remains fluid as state actors and industry players assess alternate supply routes, including potential increases in tanker imports and the use of other pipelines where feasible.
Industry watchers also note that Poland’s strategic approach hinges on maintaining reliability while reducing exposure to any single country. The emphasis on diversification—across routes, suppliers, and product types—aims to safeguard industrial activity, transportation networks, and household energy costs. As negotiations and logistics continue to unfold, Polish refiners are likely to align their procurement practices with evolving international trade patterns, adjusting bids, terms, and delivery windows to ensure continuity of supply for processing units and distribution networks.
In summary, the halt in Druzhba oil shipments to Poland signals a moment of adjustment within Central European energy markets. While Poland appears to be leaning on a diversified framework to mitigate the impact, questions remain about the pace of replacement, residual dependency on Russian crude, and how quickly alternative sources can fill the gap. Stakeholders will be watching closely as the February 28 briefing provides a more granular view of the roadmap ahead, including contingency plans, financial implications, and timelines for rebalancing imports to meet domestic demand.
Attribution: The FAZ report referenced the ongoing discourse around Russian crude flows and regional supply arrangements as noted by industry observers and national energy agencies (via secondary reporting). This synthesis reflects developments cited by multiple outlets and energy market analyses, acknowledging that details may evolve rapidly as policy positions and commercial relationships shift.