Druzhba's lasting impact
Oil contamination on a key Russian export pipeline that shocked the markets may echo long after the fuel has been cleaned up
The pollution of the Druzhba pipeline with organic chloride may impact future consumer demand for Urals blend, while Russia's image damage and reputation risk could also be reflected in a price discount, according to industry analysts. The crisis began on 19 April, when oil contaminated with highly corrosive organic chloride reached Belarus through the Druzhba pipeline, causing an equipment failure at the Belarusian Mozyr refinery. Diluting the ‘dirty oil' with other grades supplied to the plant by rail was unsuccessful. Ukraine and Poland, the Druzhba system's other transit countries to Europe, stopped receiving oil on 24 and 25 April. Built in the 1960s, Druzhba (or Friendship) is one of t
Also in this section
6 February 2026
The long close relationship between key supplier Qatar and pivotal buyer Japan becomes even deeper following new landmark deal
6 February 2026
Partnerships across the LNG value chain have evolved over time, growing in both complexity and importance, according to panellists at LNG2026
6 February 2026
Nigeria's mega-refinery is still trying to solve many challenges, all while its owner talks up expansion
5 February 2026
While broadly supportive of EU efforts to tackle methane emissions, representatives of the gas industry warn it could deter supply contracting if timelines and compliance requirements are not made more pragmatic
