MOL has finished rebuilding the AV3 crude oil distillation unit at its Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, following a fire last autumn.

Completed on schedule with an 18-billion-forint ($57 million) budget, the project enables the refinery to resume full capacity, boosting regional fuel security.

The extensive restoration involved rebuilding the damaged reinforced concrete structure, installing 27 high-capacity pumps, replacing eight kilometres of piping, and laying 100 kilometres of electrical cables.

Production will resume gradually following system flushing, pressure testing, safety checks, and rigorous operational inspections.

Crude oil introduction and step-by-step production restarts are slated to begin in October. 

“Today marks an important milestone: the reconstruction of our plant, which caught fire in October, is now complete. From here on, we can gradually begin testing and loading the plant. The most important thing for MOL right now is for this plant to resume operations safely and at full capacity. The effects of the war in Iran and the global energy crisis have already spread to our region; everyone is competing for alternative sources, which increases the value of every reliable supply route and European refining capacity. Recent months have also shown that we can put our fuel supply on a solid footing through our own production, diversified procurement, and import options. With the return of AV3, we are regaining an important capacity: the Danube Refinery will become stronger and more flexible, giving MOL greater leeway in meeting domestic and regional demand,” said Krisztián Pulay, Senior Vice President of Group Downstream Production and Development at the MOL Group. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service