As of September, the ORLEN Group will start receiving more than six million tons of crude oil from the Johan Sverdrup field, located on the Norwegian continental shelf.. This operation will be possible thanks to an agreement signed with Equinor, which will cover approximately 15% of the Polish group’s annual crude oil needs.
Norwegian oil for Central Europe and the end of Russian oil
The one-year contract provides for deliveries from the Norwegian port of Mongstad to refineries in Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic. With this step, ORLEN consolidates its energy diversification strategy after finalizing the last contracts with Russian suppliers in June. The group currently processes crude oil from various regions such as the Persian Gulf, Africa, America and now also from the North Sea.
ORLEN’s total divestment from Russian crude oil is not only a response to energy security reasons, but also to a regional political stance. This decision positions the group as a key player in the transition to a more diversified and sustainable supply model, free from geopolitical pressures.
Low-emission supply and strategic cooperation
One of the distinguishing aspects of this agreement is the low carbon footprint of the oil extracted in Johan Sverdrupconsidered one of the most efficient oil fields in the world. The electricity used in the extraction platforms comes mainly from onshore renewable sources, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 90% below the global average.
The relationship between Equinor and ORLEN has been strengthening on a number of fronts: from joint oil and gas production in Norway to long-term agreements on the supply of natural gas to the Norwegian market. natural gas supply and development and development of carbon capture technologies. This new agreement reinforces that cooperation by adding crude oil as a key component of the joint energy portfolio.
Ireneusz Fąfara, CEO of ORLEN, emphasized that this alliance makes it possible to ensure stable and sustainable sources of crude oil. For her part, Irene Rummelhoff, Executive Vice President of Equinor, emphasized that this agreement simultaneously contributes to the reduction of emissions and the consolidation of strategic relations with Poland.
Source and photo: ORLEN
