‘This is a step we make to ensure Poland has oil supplies from that region’ Mariusz Handzlik of the President’s office told the Polish News Agency (PAP).

Azeri oil could be transported to Poland via the Ukrainian Odessa-Brody pipeline. Poland and Ukraine have been in talks about extending the pipeline to the refinery town of Plock in Central Poland. The infrastructure to transport oil from Płock to Gdańsk on Baltic seacoast already exists. Currently the Odessa-Brody pipeline transports Russian oil to the Black Sea region, wnp.pl reports.

Launching a new leg of the pipeline to link Brody and Płock to transport Caspian oil would allow diversifying sources of supply to Poland and partially cut Poland’s and Ukraine’s dependence on Russia. A new company – Nowa Sarmatia – has been set up at a recent energy summit attended by Polish and Azeri companies. A feasibility study on the project is underway.

Handzlik underlined that signing the Protocol of Intent marks another step brining Poland closer to the Caspian oil alternative. ‘However, before this becomes reality, both companies need to agree on the form of cooperation’ he told PAP

The meeting in Azerbaijan is attended also by the president of PKN Orlen, major oil refiner and petrol retailer, Jacek Krawiec, board members of PGNiG, oil and gas explorer, Polish Mint and Polish Security Printing Works. The entrepreneurs are to conduct business talks.
During this visits, the Presidents of Poland and Azerbaijan are to set up a permanent advisory committee including their representatives and members of parliament of both countries.