Daniel Obajtek, CEO of Polish Oil Company (PKN) ORLEN announced the increased supply of crude oil supplies from alternative directions for PKN’s refineries in Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania. ORLEN signed an agreement with its main partner, Aramco, to order 5 additional North Sea oil tankers. The crude oil is supplied on an ongoing basis. When the deliveries from the eastern direction are suspended, they will be replaced from alternative directions.
The supplies of crude oil from the North Sea have been secured to ORLEN Lietuva. The continuity of operation of the ORLEN Group plants in Europe is also secured.
This is mainly the result of the diversification activities carried out by the Company over the last 4 years. In 2013, as much as 98% of the raw material processed in Płock was REBCO crude oil, i.e. from the East. Currently, this oil reaches only about 50% of processed mix, the rest is purchased from Saudi Arabia, the USA or West Africa.
Daniel Obajtek, the president of the Management Board of PKN ORLEN emphasized that the continuity of operation of ORLEN’s refineries and the energy security of Poland are his priority. “ORLEN is in constant contact with its partners, producers of crude oil in the world, having the ability to secure supplies from alternative directions. The Polish giant is already using spot purchases on an ongoing basis to secure the operation of the refineries. “It is possible because for four years we have been strongly focusing on the diversification of raw oil supplies. Additionally, as the only refinery in this part of Europe, we have full storage facilities in salt caverns in our company IKS Solino, which additionally protect and strengthen our independence”, says Obajtek.
The company ensures that there is no shortage of fuel in Poland. In addition, PKN ORLEN has the option to supplement the fuel balance, if necessary, both from two refineries of the ORLEN Group in the Czech Republic and, additionally, from the refinery in Mažeikiai, Lithuania. In that case, the transport may be assured both by rail and by sea.
Adrian Andrzejewski