Crude oil deliveries to Serbia resume via JANAF pipeline

Crude oil deliveries to Serbia through Croatia’s JANAF pipeline have resumed after a nearly 100-day halt caused by U.S. sanctions. 

Deliveries are expected to continue throughout the week.

Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said the resumption is aimed at ensuring regional energy stability while supporting JANAF’s operations.

“We are transporting the largest possible volumes so JANAF can fulfill its role as a stabilizing factor and a key energy security stakeholder in Croatia and the region,” Šušnjar said. “This will allow Serbia’s oil company, NIS, to replenish depleted supplies during the sanctions period, while also enabling JANAF to maximize its revenues.”

The first shipment totals approximately 85,000 tons of crude oil. As a result, Serbia’s Oil Industry (NIS) is expected to resume processing at the Pančevo Refinery later this week.

NIS is majority-owned by Russia’s Gazprom and has been subject to U.S. sanctions, which have been temporarily suspended until January 23. The United States has given the company until March 24 to negotiate the sale of its Russian owner’s stake.