Oil company NIS has asked the U.S. Treasury for a new operating licence beyond Sept. 30, according to Serbia’s latest fuel-supply update. The government said it has started drawing on mandatory diesel reserves as refinery sanctions risk rises alongside weaker commercial imports and tighter Danube logistics.
Mandatory diesel releases and October demand outlook
The Serbian authorities said they will release another 5,000 tonnes of diesel from mandatory stocks. Serbia expects diesel demand of about 205,000 tonnes in October, with the release described as modest relative to consumption but material for physical supply management.
Commercial importers have cut purchases due to elevated international prices and transport constraints. With domestic supply tightened by logistics limits, the government’s approach shifts from tax intervention toward managing physical availability through strategic-stock releases.
NIS role at Pančevo refinery and licence uncertainty
NIS operates Serbia’s only refinery at Pančevo, keeping it central to the domestic fuel market. Any restriction on its operations would increase reliance on more expensive imports and regional logistics.
The immediate market focus is whether NIS secures another U.S. licence. If uncertainty continues, Serbia is expected to balance higher imports with careful use of mandatory stocks ahead of winter.
Excise cuts and regional supply routes
The government has already cut fuel excise duties to cushion consumers from higher prices. Strategic-stock releases are presented as a second line of defence while commercial import volumes remain constrained.
Regional supply options could improve after Bulgaria reopened petroleum-product exports from the Burgas refinery. Romanian and Croatian routes are also cited as potential channels for replacement volumes, though European refined-product costs remain elevated.
