JANAF, Croatia’s oil-pipeline operator, halted crude transport on part of the Sisak-Slavonski Brod route after pipeline infrastructure was damaged near Prvca, spilling an estimated 500 cubic metres of oil. The disruption affects the damaged section while the operator contains the spill and works on rehabilitation.
The incident occurred around kilometre 88 during rehabilitation work carried out by an external contractor. JANAF’s preliminary findings indicate that the bucket of a construction machine struck pipeline equipment. The operator isolated the damaged section by closing block-valve stations at Okucani and Luzani.
Emergency teams were deployed to contain the spill and recover crude from the surrounding area. Around 200 cubic metres had been collected during the initial response. A specialist contractor was brought in to remove contaminated soil and other affected material and arrange disposal under environmental rules.
Residents in nearby settlements reported strong petroleum odours as clean-up work continued. JANAF said the spill does not threaten local residents or drinking-water supplies and that it is focusing on containing environmental damage and rehabilitating the affected area. Responsibility will be determined through a separate procedure.
The operator has not set a timetable for restarting oil transport through the damaged section. The duration of the disruption depends on repairs and safety checks.
