Romania Declares State of Emergency in the Fuel Sector

On August 8, 2025, it became known about an incident involving a shipment of crude oil from Azerbaijan intended for the Petrobrazi refinery in Romania. During inspection, dangerously high chlorine levels were detected. The crude was transported via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline through Georgia and Turkey, Romania Insider reports.

According to experts, such oil could damage equipment and lead to production shutdowns, which would cause a fuel shortage. The issue was detected during routine quality control by OMV Petrom. The BTC Pipeline Company, operator of the pipeline, confirmed that the corrosive substance entered several tanks at the terminal, prompting the suspension of deliveries to the Port of Constanța.

Back on August 4, Romania’s Ministry of Energy declared a state of emergency in the oil sector, activated strategic reserves, and authorized the use of tens of thousands of tons of crude oil and diesel fuel to stabilize the situation.