Hungary's MOL to restart fire-damaged refinery in Oct

MOL has announced plans to restart the AV3 unit of its Danube refinery, which was severely damaged by a fire in October last year. The company has completed construction work at the site, and once the existing equipment is removed, production can commence gradually. The restart will allow the Szazhalombatta refinery to return to full capacity, enhancing fuel supply security for Hungary and the broader region.

The repair cost amounted to HUF 18 billion, or approximately EUR 50 million, according to MOL's statement. Following the AV3 unit's commissioning and testing, specialists will perform system flushing, pressure testing, functional testing of process control and safety equipment, and connect auxiliary power sources. They will also ensure coordination between the AV3 unit and other Danube refinery facilities.

The gradual resumption of petroleum product production is anticipated to begin in October. Over the past year, MOL carried out a comprehensive restoration, dismantling and reassembling the damaged reinforced concrete structure, replacing 8 km of pipelines and 100 km of electrical cables, and installing 27 new pumps. The Szazhalombatta refinery, located in Hungary, is MOL's largest facility and one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe, with a capacity of 165,000 barrels per day. The plant primarily processes Russian oil supplied via the Druzhba pipeline.