ORLEN and Naftogaz Agree to Expand LNG and Petroleum-Product Cooperation

ORLEN and Naftogaz Strengthen Strategic Energy Partnership

Poland’s ORLEN and Ukraine’s Naftogaz Group have agreed to expand their cooperation in LNG and petroleum-product supplies, strengthening commercial links between the two energy companies and supporting the diversification of energy supply routes in the region.

The companies signed two memoranda of understanding on September 21, 2026, during the Carpathian Eight Summit. The agreements cover potential LNG deliveries to Ukraine, petroleum-product supplies, crude-oil processing and additional logistics cooperation.

The latest agreements build on cooperation that ORLEN and Naftogaz have developed since 2025, when the companies began expanding their LNG partnership.

Three LNG Cargoes Planned for Early 2027

Under the first memorandum, ORLEN and Naftogaz will explore the supply of three LNG cargoes during the first quarter of 2027.

The potential deliveries are particularly relevant to Ukraine's gas supply planning because the first quarter includes the winter period, when seasonal energy consumption is typically higher.

ORLEN said the additional volumes would support the development of its LNG trading activities and strengthen its role as a supplier in Central and Eastern European markets.

For Naftogaz, the agreement provides another potential source of imported natural gas and contributes to the company's efforts to diversify supply routes.

Petroleum-Product Cooperation Could Reach $500 Million

The second memorandum focuses on cooperation between ORLEN and Ukrnafta, a company within the Naftogaz Group.

Under the agreement, the parties will explore petroleum-product supplies to the Ukrainian market with a potential value of up to $500 million.

The arrangement covers fuel supplies at a time when Ukraine continues to focus on maintaining reliable access to energy products and strengthening the resilience of its energy system.

The agreement also provides a framework for broader cooperation in the petroleum sector, including possible processing of Ukrainian crude oil at refineries in Central Europe.

Ukrainian Crude Oil Could Be Processed in Central Europe

One of the notable elements of the new cooperation is the possibility of supplying Ukrainian crude oil to Central European refineries for processing.

This could create an additional commercial route connecting Ukrainian crude production with European refining infrastructure.

Instead of relying exclusively on domestic refining capacity, Ukrainian crude could potentially be transported to refineries elsewhere in the region, where it could be processed into petroleum products.

The companies are still exploring this possibility, meaning that the memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation rather than confirming a completed crude-processing arrangement.

Potential Transfer of Fuel Tanker Trucks

The cooperation could also extend to transportation logistics.

ORLEN and Naftogaz said they would explore the potential transfer of used fuel tanker trucks to Ukrnafta.

Such equipment could support the transportation and distribution of petroleum products within Ukraine and complement the broader supply arrangement.

This element demonstrates that the cooperation is not limited to commodity trading but could also involve infrastructure and logistics supporting the movement of energy products.

Why LNG Diversification Matters for Ukraine

Ukraine has been working to diversify its natural gas supplies and delivery routes, with LNG becoming an increasingly important component of its import strategy.

ORLEN and Naftogaz began formal LNG cooperation in 2025. Their initial agreement included a gas supply contract for approximately 100 million cubic metres, with LNG delivered to Lithuania's Klaipėda terminal and transported through the regional gas network toward Ukraine.

The companies subsequently expanded their cooperation. In November 2025, ORLEN signed a contract to supply Naftogaz with 300 million cubic metres of US-sourced natural gas during the first quarter of 2026.

The latest agreement for potential LNG cargoes in early 2027 therefore represents another step in the development of the commercial relationship.

ORLEN Expands Its Role in Regional Energy Markets

For ORLEN, the agreement supports its broader strategy of developing its LNG trading activities and strengthening its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Polish energy group has been expanding its LNG procurement and trading capabilities while using access to regasification infrastructure and regional transmission networks.

The company said its cooperation with Ukraine is part of its wider approach to energy security and supply diversification in Central and Eastern Europe.

The partnership with Naftogaz gives ORLEN another commercial channel for supplying energy commodities to the Ukrainian market.

Naftogaz Seeks Reliable and Diversified Supply Routes

For Naftogaz, the expanded partnership provides additional options for sourcing natural gas and petroleum products.

The company has emphasized the importance of reliable supply sources and diversified delivery routes, particularly as Ukraine's domestic energy infrastructure continues to face disruption.

Naftogaz described ORLEN as an important strategic partner and highlighted the need for dependable gas supplies and diversified routes.

The petroleum-product agreement with Ukrnafta also broadens the relationship beyond natural gas and LNG into the downstream fuels market.

Building on Cooperation Since 2025

The latest agreements are part of a broader relationship that has developed relatively quickly.

In March 2025, ORLEN and Naftogaz signed an LNG cooperation memorandum and agreed on an initial gas supply arrangement.

In June 2025, the companies expanded their cooperation into areas including upstream exploration, downstream activities, natural gas supplies, oil and gas projects and potential investment opportunities. ORLEN also reported that it was already supplying Ukrainian customers with refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and bitumen.

By September 2026, the relationship had expanded to cover LNG, petroleum products, crude-oil processing and transportation logistics.

Implications for Central and Eastern Europe's Energy Market

The growing ORLEN–Naftogaz partnership reflects the increasing importance of diversified energy supply routes in Central and Eastern Europe.

For Ukraine, additional LNG and petroleum-product supply options can provide greater flexibility in managing energy imports.

For Poland and ORLEN, cooperation with Naftogaz creates opportunities to expand regional energy trading and strengthen commercial links with the Ukrainian market.

The potential processing of Ukrainian crude at Central European refineries could also create another connection between Ukrainian oil production and regional refining infrastructure.

What Happens Next?

The September agreements are memoranda that establish frameworks for further cooperation. The companies will need to develop the commercial and logistical details before the potential transactions are implemented.

The key developments to watch include:

• Final arrangements for the three potential LNG cargoes in Q1 2027

• The volume and timing of petroleum-product deliveries

• Progress on the potential $500 million fuel-supply framework

• Possible processing of Ukrainian crude at Central European refineries

• Potential transfer of fuel tanker trucks to Ukrnafta

• Further expansion of ORLEN–Naftogaz LNG trading activities

These developments will determine how significantly the latest agreements affect regional energy flows.

Conclusion

The latest ORLEN–Naftogaz agreements mark another expansion of cooperation between two major energy companies in Central and Eastern Europe.

The memoranda cover three potential LNG cargoes for the first quarter of 2027, petroleum-product supplies to Ukraine worth up to $500 million, possible processing of Ukrainian crude in Central European refineries and additional fuel-transport logistics.

The agreements build on LNG and energy cooperation that began in 2025 and has gradually expanded into a broader commercial relationship.

For ORLEN, the partnership provides opportunities to strengthen its regional LNG and energy-trading activities. For Naftogaz and Ukrnafta, it creates additional potential supply channels for natural gas and petroleum products.

As the companies move from memoranda toward specific commercial arrangements, the partnership will be closely watched by participants across the European LNG, oil, refining and energy-trading markets.