Czech Republic could replace up to 125,000 cu m of Russian oil in reserves with Kazakh CPC Blend
MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax) - The Czech Republic is exploring the possibility of replacing up to 125,000 cubic meters of Russian oil currently held in its state reserves with the Kazakh CPC Blend, Czech pipeline operator Mero CR said in a statement.
Polish refining group Orlen Unipetrol, Mero and the Czech State Administration of Material Reserves (SSHR) have signed memorandum on oil supply security, under which Mero will look into the possibility of long-term storage of CPC Blend at the central oil storage facility in Nelahozeves and will monitor any changes in its quality and operating characteristics. Following this trial storage period, the suitability of CPC Blend for long-term inclusion in the state reserves will be evaluated. Mero parent company Orlen Unipetrol will refine the crude.
"This memorandum is another step toward ensuring that only non-Russian oil is stored in the Czech reserves. To put it simply, we are now swapping a tank of Russian oil with Unipetrol for a non-Russian CPC blend, which has the advantage of being suitable for both Czech refineries. However, there is no prior experience with storing this oil, so Mero will monitor its quality characteristics, and if they deteriorate, Orlen Unipetrol has committed to replacing this with different oil," Pavel Svagr, Chairman of the SSHR, was quoted as saying.
"We are continuing to work on increasing the throughput capacity of the TAL oil pipeline from Trieste, and on the technological modifications carried out at our refineries in recent years, thanks to which we are now refining non-Russian crude. Our refineries in Litvinov and Kralupy have different processes and need different types of feedstock. It is therefore essential to maintain enough reserves to enable us to respond flexibly to potential constraints or supply chain disruptions. We are thereby strengthening production stability and ensuring reliable fuel supplies to the Czech market. Even in the new conditions, Orlen Unipetrol continues to fulfill its role as a key fuel supplier to the Czech market," said Milan Brejhal, a member of the Polish group's board of directors responsible for production.
The Czech refineries switched to non-Russian crude oil in March 2025 after Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline came to an end. The Litvinov refinery (5.8 million tpy) and Kralupy (3.3 million tpy) now receive oil through the TAL/IKL pipeline system, via the Italian port of Trieste. The Litvinov refinery processes mostly low-sulfur crude, while the Kralupy refinery processes crude with a higher sulfur content.
The Czech Republic had already replaced approximately half of its Russian oil reserves in 2025, receiving Azeri Light for the Kralupy refinery and Johan Sverdrup from Norway for the Litvinov refinery.
CPC Blend is a blend of oil produced in Kazakhstan, which is transported to Novorossiysk on the Black Sea coast via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system, and from there by tanker to Trieste and onwards to the Czech Republic via the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL), which connects to the Ingolstadt-Kralupy-Litvinov (IKL) pipeline in Germany.
