The Czech Republic has officially become independent of Russian oil for the first time in its history, following the launch of an expanded pipeline from western Europe.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala confirmed the milestone on Thursday, April 17, stating that the country is now fully supplied with non-Russian oil through the expanded Transalpine Pipeline (TAL), which runs from Italy. The expansion deal, signed in 2023, was part of the country’s broader efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Prior to the completion of the TAL expansion, the Czech Republic relied on Russian oil, primarily transported through the Druzhba pipeline. However, supplies via this route were halted in early March 2024, two months after the TAL expansion was finalized. Fiala announced that the first increased oil supplies arrived on Wednesday, marking the country’s complete transition to non-Russian oil.
The European Union, of which the Czech Republic is a member, has been moving to eliminate its dependence on Russian fossil fuels since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Although most Russian oil imports were banned, the Druzhba pipeline was exempted for the Czech Republic due to limited alternative options at the time. In addition to oil, the Czech Republic has already fully weaned itself off Russian gas and plans to cease using Russian uranium in its two nuclear plants later this year.
The expanded TAL pipeline, which can now supply up to eight million tonnes of oil annually, will securely meet the Czech Republic’s consumption needs, Fiala assured. The TAL pipeline, which originates from the Italian port of Trieste, passes through southern Germany and connects to the Czech Republic’s IKL pipeline. The Druzhba pipeline, which has been in operation since the 1960s, was originally constructed when Czechoslovakia was part of the Soviet bloc.
TAL is owned by a consortium of eight companies, including the Czech state-run Mero, as well as major global firms such as Shell, Eni, and ExxonMobil.