Hungarian oil company MOL has completed reconstruction of the AV3 crude oil distillation unit at its Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary, following a fire last autumn. The restoration was completed on schedule with a budget of 18 billion forints, and production is expected to resume gradually in October after commissioning, testing and safety inspections.
Key Overview
- Facility: Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary
- Unit: AV3 crude oil distillation unit
- Restoration budget: 18 billion forints
- New pumps: 27 high-capacity pumps
- Pipelines: 8 kilometres replaced
- Electrical cables: 100 kilometres laid
- Restart: Gradually from October
- Refinery capacity: Approximately 8.1 million tonnes per year, or 165,000 barrels per day
MOL Completes AV3 Reconstruction
Hungarian oil company MOL has completed construction work on the AV3 unit at its Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary, following the fire that caused significant damage to the facility last October.
The reconstruction was completed according to the original schedule, with the restoration budget totalling 18 billion forints. The work focused on rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and restoring the equipment and systems required for the unit to return to operation.
The completion of construction does not mean the refinery will immediately return to full production. MOL will first undertake a series of commissioning activities and safety checks before crude oil is introduced into the restored unit.
Extensive Restoration Work
Over the past year, MOL carried out extensive restoration work on the AV3 crude oil distillation unit.
The company demolished and rebuilt the damaged reinforced concrete structure and restored the affected equipment, control systems and electrical systems.
The reconstruction included the installation of 27 new high-capacity pumps, the replacement of approximately eight kilometres of piping, and the laying of 100 kilometres of electrical cables.
The restoration budget was reported at 18 billion forints, with the source also giving an equivalent figure of approximately 49.6 million euros.
MOL said the construction work was completed according to the preliminary schedule, allowing the company to move to the next phase of preparing the plant for a safe restart.
Commissioning and Safety Testing
Following completion of construction, MOL will conduct several commissioning activities before the AV3 unit can return to production.
These activities include system flushing, pressure testing, functional checks of process-control and safety systems, and the connection of auxiliary power supplies.
AV3 will then be integrated and synchronised with the other operating units at the Danube Refinery before crude oil is introduced.
The process is designed to ensure that the restored unit is ready to operate safely before production resumes.
Production to Resume Gradually in October
MOL expects production to resume gradually in October, with the restart proceeding step by step after the required operational and safety inspections.
The gradual process means the completion of construction is being followed by commissioning, testing and integration rather than an immediate return to full production.
Once commissioning and testing are completed, the refinery is expected to be able to operate at full capacity.
The AV3 restoration is particularly significant because the fire had constrained the Danube Refinery’s crude-processing capability.
MOL previously reported that unaffected units had been restarted, but the refinery was expected to operate at only around 50–55% capacity until AV3 was repaired. This represented a lost processing capacity of approximately 250,000–300,000 tonnes per month.
Context is everything. Stay ahead of shifting trends with today’s market updates, and uncover emerging opportunities using the Serrari Group Market Index and Marketplace. Then, take control of your own financial future by exploring our Money & Life Reset Transformation Blueprint ™ to build stronger habits, create better systems, and design a path toward lasting wealth.
Danube Refinery Capacity
The Danube Refinery has crude-processing capacity of approximately 8.1 million tonnes per year, equivalent to around 165,000 barrels per day.
The restoration of AV3 therefore restores an important part of the refinery’s crude-processing capability.
MOL said the return of AV3 will strengthen the refinery’s ability to meet domestic and regional demand and support fuel supply in Hungary and the wider region.
MOL Highlights Fuel Supply Importance
Krisztián Pulay, Senior Vice President of Group Downstream Production and Development at the MOL Group, described the completion of the reconstruction as an important milestone.
“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.”
Pulay also highlighted the importance of reliable supply routes and European refining capacity, noting that recent months had demonstrated the role of MOL’s own production, diversified procurement and import options in supporting fuel supply.
He said the return of AV3 would restore important capacity and give the Danube Refinery greater flexibility in meeting domestic and regional demand.
Outlook
With the reconstruction of AV3 complete, MOL will now focus on commissioning, testing and the safe restart of the unit.
The company will conduct system flushing, pressure tests and checks of process-control and safety equipment before connecting auxiliary power supplies and coordinating AV3 with the refinery’s related plants.
Production is expected to resume step by step in October.
Following successful commissioning and testing, the Danube Refinery will be able to return to full capacity, restoring crude-processing capability that had been constrained since the fire.
The return of AV3 is expected to strengthen fuel supply security for Hungary and the wider region, while giving MOL greater flexibility in responding to domestic and regional demand.
FAQs
1. What happened to MOL’s AV3 unit?
The AV3 crude oil distillation unit at MOL’s Danube Refinery was significantly damaged by a fire last October.
2. How much did the AV3 reconstruction cost?
The restoration budget totalled 18 billion forints, with the source also giving an equivalent of approximately €49.6 million.
3. When will production resume at the Danube Refinery?
Production is expected to resume gradually in October after system flushing, pressure testing, safety checks and other commissioning activities.
4. What is the Danube Refinery’s crude-processing capacity?
The Danube Refinery has a crude-processing capacity of approximately 8.1 million tonnes per year, equivalent to around 165,000 barrels per day.
Sources: CEEnergynews, ChemAnalyst, TradeArabia, Hungary Today, chemXplore
Your financial future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.
The real question is: when do you begin?
Move beyond simply staying informed.
Navigate the markets with clarity—track trends through the Serrari Group Market Index, uncover opportunities in the Serrari Marketplace, and build practical knowledge with our Curated Wealth Builder Platform.
Stay connected to what truly matters.
Get daily insights on macro trends and financial movements across Kenya, Africa, and global markets—delivered through the Serrari Newsletter.
Growth opens doors.
Advance your career through professional programs including ACCA, HESI A2, ATI TEAS 7 , HESI EXIT , NCLEX – RN and NCLEX – PN, Financial Literacy!🌟—designed to move you forward with confidence.
See where money is flowing—clearly and in real time.
Track Money Market Funds, Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds, Green Bonds, and Fixed Deposits, alongside global and African indexes, key economic indicators, and the evolving Crypto and stablecoin landscape—all within Serrari’s Market Index.
