Czechs tap oil reserves after Russia cuts deliveries

The Czech Republic is having to tap state oil reserves and bring in crude oil through an alternate pipeline after a sharp drop in deliveries from Russia. The country’s main oil refiner Unipetrol says it has the situation under control and production had so far not been affected. There is speculation that the unexpected cut in deliveries may have been made in response to the signing of a Czech-US treaty last week on the positioning of a US missile defense radar on Czech soil, but Unipetrol said the drop had been caused by “technical and organizational problems” in Russia. Czech officials have demanded an explanation and government and energy officials are due to meet on Monday to discuss the situation. The Czech Republic still depends strongly on Russia for its crude oil but has an alternative link to Ingolstadt in Germany.