**bp and ORLEN Forge Multi-Year Deal for Norwegian Crude Supply**
In a significant development for the European energy landscape, bp has penned a 12-month agreement to supply crude oil produced from its North Sea fields to ORLEN SA’s refineries in Poland and Lithuania. This latest pact underscores the strategic importance of diversified feedstock portfolios, enhancing energy security and promoting sustainable refining practices across the continent.
**Key Highlights of the Agreement**
– **Supply Volume**: bp will deliver a total of 6 million tonnes per year (t/y) of Norwegian crude oil to either the Polish port of Gdańsk or the Lithuanian port of Būtinga, based on ORLEN’s regional feedstock demands.
– **Timeline**: The first crude delivery under this contract is scheduled to arrive in Gdańsk in September 2024.
– **Feedstock Diversification**: This supply deal forms a crucial element in ORLEN’s ongoing efforts to diversify its feedstock portfolio. The consistent quality of the Norwegian crudes ensures high yields and is well-suited to ORLEN’s processing technologies, thereby enhancing the economic efficiency of its production facilities.
**ORLEN’s Diversified Energy Strategy**
ORLEN, a leading refining company in Central and Eastern Europe, has been diligently expanding its supply chain to reduce its reliance on any single supplier. This strategic move includes sourcing crude oils from various global regions:
– **North Sea Crudes**: ORLEN receives grades such as Forties and Brent from the UK, as well as Oseberg, Johan Sverdrup, Troll, Grane, Brent, and Ekofisk from Norway.
– **US-Sourced Crudes**: The company also imports West Texas Intermediate (WTI), Bakken, and Mars grades from the United States.
– **West African Crudes**: Additional supplies come from Forcados and Bonny