The oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia will provide Serbia with more than enough of this Russian-derived resource and, since it passes through a friendly country, it will be shielded from complications caused by the European Union, which Serbia has faced on several previous occasions, says energy expert Nebojša Obrknežev.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Novak stated at the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg that Russia is ready to supply raw materials for the pipeline being constructed between Hungary and Serbia.
Obrknežev emphasizes that this new pipeline is extremely beneficial for the Serbian economy, as Serbia will then have two pipelines: one from the Adriatic Sea port allowing access to oil from any source, and this new one, which will deliver oil directly from the Russian Federation.
Regarding the pipeline between Hungary and Serbia, which is 120 kilometers long and has a capacity of 5.5 million tons of crude oil, it fully covers Serbia’s annual consumption needs. In fact, Serbia will receive even more through this pipeline. It will connect directly to the Druzhba pipeline, which has two branches to Poland and Germany, and another branch going toward Slovakia and Hungary, explains Obrknežev.
This pipeline will also link with JANAF, the Croatian oil pipeline network, positioning Serbia as a key hub in the system.
The project is strategically very important and is planned to be completed by 2028. Currently, it is still in the design phase, with 120 kilometers to be constructed on the Serbian side and several kilometers on the Hungarian side.
Obrknežev points out that this is a crucial project enabling Serbia to diversify its supply routes.
Unofficially, construction of the pipeline from Hungary to Serbia is expected to start by the end of this year.
Serbia will invest 157 million euros to build its section of the pipeline to the Hungarian border, covering about 120 kilometers, while Hungary has less than 100 kilometers left to build. The spatial plan includes parts of the territories of the cities and municipalities of Novi Sad, Kanjiža, Senta, Ada, Bečej, and Žabalj.
The plan sets the basis for the organization, regulation, use, and protection of the pipeline infrastructure corridor, including detailed regulatory elements that allow direct implementation.
Most of the route will pass through agricultural land, outside urban zones, crossing rivers, roads, and railways.
