Because this is a serious threat to Polish refineries, PERN, the operator of the pipeline, has prepared an emergency plan. There is not much time left for necessary investments.
State-owned PERN, the operator of oil pipelines, has prepared a strategy which should ensure Poland’s energy safety. According to Przemyslaw Wipler, the chairman of PERN, and an official at the Ministry of Economy, investment funds to develop storages in northern Poland must be estimated. In case the pipeline is not used any longer, oil will have to come to Poland via the sea.
“The cost of new storages amounts to PLN 400m (EUR 105.6m)”, Marcin Jastrzebski from PERN said. The strategy provides for the plans of Odessa-Brody pipeline which would also make Poland less dependant from Russian oil.
“We must decide this year, whether and with whom to do it. Works would have to start in two years so that the pipeline would be ready in 2010-11”, Marcin Jastrzebski added. The Polish part of the pipeline would cost EUR 500m.