Greece-North Macedonia Oil Pipeline Set for Restart After Years of Inactivity

More than a decade after its operation was halted in 2013, the Greece-North Macedonia oil pipeline is moving toward reopening. Initially, the pipeline’s operations were suspended because alternative supply methods were more cost-effective at that time. However, today’s circumstances seem favorable once again for this project. Recently, on March 5, 2025, the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy approved the environmental terms for the Greek section of the pipeline managed by Vardax A.E., which extends from the HELLENiQ Energy refinery in Thessaloniki to the OKTA facilities in Skopje. According to projections, the 213-kilometer pipeline has a transport capacity of 2.5 million tons annually to supply the neighboring market with diesel fuel. Looking ahead, North Macedonian officials have expressed interest in extending the pipeline to Serbia’s border, potentially unlocking further export opportunities from the Greek market at lower costs compared to alternative solutions. It’s worth noting that Greece is also advancing a parallel natural gas pipeline to North Macedonia. This DESFA-led project will initially start from Nea Mesimvria in Thessaloniki and terminate at Negotino in the neighboring country via the Evzonoi/Guegelis checkpoint. DESFA aims to bring the new pipeline into commercial operation by March 2026. Together, these two pipelines are expected to significantly bolster Greece’s emergence as an energy hub for the entire Southeast European region.