Serbia and Hungary are aiming to begin the construction of a new 304-kilometre oil pipeline by the end of this year, according to Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović.

Đedović Handanović made the remarks during a meeting with Nataša Lečić, general director of Serbian oil company Transnafta, on February 7 to discuss progress on the Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline project. She emphasized its role in promoting energy security and supply stability in Serbia and Hungary. 

“The start of construction is planned by the end of the year,” Đedović Handanović said. “Diversification of supply is crucial for our energy security, both in the gas and oil sectors, and the Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline will contribute to long-term supply stability.” 

The minister noted “significant progress” in drafting technical documentation, with regular communication between expert teams from both countries. 

The conceptual design, preliminary project, and feasibility study are complete, and the Spatial Plan for the special-purpose area is undergoing adoption after a public review. A construction permit is expected by year’s end, coinciding with the finalization of technical documentation. 

The new 304-kilometre pipeline, which is scheduled for completion by 2027, will transport up to 5.5 million tonnes of oil per year. 

It is expected to follow the Százhalombatta-Alđe-Roske-Novi Sad, costing around 157 million on the Serbian side, with a great potential for future extensions to Thessaloniki, Greece, and Durrës, Albania.