**bp to Supply Norwegian Crudes to ORLEN Refineries: Enhancing Energy Security in Central Europe**
Energy giant bp plc has recently signed a 12-month agreement to supply crude oil produced from its North Sea fields offshore Norway to ORLEN SA’s refineries in Poland and Lithuania. This strategic deal underscores a commitment to diversifying feedstock portfolios and enhancing energy security in the region.
The contract stipulates that bp will deliver a total of 6 million tonnes of Norwegian crude per year, which will account for approximately 15% of ORLEN’s system-wide feedstock requirements. The first shipment of crude oil, which will be directed to the Polish port of Gdańsk, is scheduled to arrive in September 2024.
**Strategic Market Diversification: A Key Element**
ORLEN SA, Poland’s largest oil refiner, has been actively pursuing diversification in its feedstock sources to reduce dependence on specific crude oil supplies. This move is particularly significant following ORLEN’s decision to cease imports of Urals oil by sea and terminate its supply contract with Rosneft Oil Co. post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Working with bp, a stable and well-established player, is a key element in diversifying ORLEN Group’s feedstock portfolio,” said Ireneusz Fąfara, ORLEN Management Board President. “The oil we will acquire through this contract is not only of consistent quality and sourced from geographically close North Sea fields but also has properties that ensure high yields and is well-suited to the processing technologies at our refineries.”
**Enhanced Efficiency through Geographically Close Crude Supply**
The use of Norwegian crudes is expected to enhance the economic efficiency of ORLEN’s production facilities. North Sea crude grades such as Forties, Brent, Oseberg, Johan Sverdrup, Troll, Grane, and Ekofisk have been consistently demonstrated