Hungary’s government will release 250,000 metric tons of crude oil from its strategic reserves following a disruption to supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, according to a decree published late Thursday in the official gazette.
The move comes after oil flows on the key pipeline route were suspended, threatening supply to the landlocked Central European country.
Under the decree, Hungarian energy group MOL will receive priority access to the released crude to ensure uninterrupted refining operations.
The government said the measure is aimed at safeguarding domestic fuel supply and stabilising the energy market amid the disruption.
Hungary relies heavily on pipeline imports for its crude needs, with the Druzhba line serving as a major supply artery from the east.
By tapping emergency reserves, authorities seek to cushion the immediate impact of the halted flows while longer-term solutions are assessed.
No timeline was given for the restoration of deliveries through the pipeline.
Officials did not specify the cause of the stoppage but framed the release as a precautionary step to maintain energy security.
Strategic reserves are typically deployed during supply shocks to prevent shortages and price volatility.
The decree takes effect immediately, enabling refiners to access the crude as Hungary works to manage the fallout from the pipeline disruption.