The main distillation plant was damaged in an accident at the OMV refinery in Schwechat at the beginning of June. Since then, production has only been running at about a fifth of capacity. In order to supply Austria with fuel and diesel, the government had to release part of the strategic reserves and also buy fuel from abroad. It has now become known that the difficult repair work will be completed in October. According to company boss Alfred Stern, production will be ramped up again in the second half of the month.
The repairs are well on schedule, Stern told the Business Journalists’ Club on Thursday. “At the same time, we will continue to maintain this alternative supply system that we have put in place in recent months to ensure fuel supply, as we believe it will be necessary to balance the markets and also fill the warehouses.” said Star.
Hungary shows willingness to help
According to reports, 18 million liters of petrol and 29 million liters of diesel have flowed to Austria from Hungary, among others. A few days ago, the government in Budapest expressed its willingness to extend the deadline for returning the fuel received. Originally, 40 percent of the released amount was to be repaid on August 31 and 60 percent on October 31. Now the deadline is December 31.
As far as the gas supply for the coming winter is concerned, Stern reassures that gas storage had already started in March”, which has led to us having today more than 93 percent full of OMV storage facilities – that means that our storage facilities are essentially full.” All in all, the gas storage facilities in Austria are more than 70 percent full. “We should actually get through the winter at 70 percent.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
