DOC // Moldova to establish oil products' stocks sufficient for 90 days of consumption

Moldova is taking a significant step in strengthening its energy security by launching a draft law that provides for the gradual establishment of oil products’ stocks sufficient to cover 90 days of imports. The draft, developed by the Energy Ministry, was published for public consultation today.

The 90-day stock standard is in line with the recommendations of the International Energy Agency and was introduced after the most severe global oil crises recorded in 1973 and 1979. Through this draft, the Moldovan authorities aim to reduce the risk of fuel shortages, in the context of international crises and to ensure the continuity of critical services for the economy and citizens.

According to the draft, the stocks will be provided in equal proportions by the state and by companies importing oil products, 50 per cent each. Of the total stocks, at least 60 per cent must be physically stored in the country, with the remainder allowed to be stored abroad. The fuels concerned include diesel, petrol and jet fuel.

The draft also sets out the mechanisms for using the security stocks: they will be released to the market only in situations of supply crisis, when the authorities declare a state of emergency in the oil products sector.

Moldova went through more energy crises in the last five years. The first and most significant was the natural gas crisis of 2021–2022, which led to the introduction of mandatory natural gas security stocks. At present, the authorities emphasize that the country has sufficient resources to react quickly and that there is no longer a risk of interruption of natural gas supplies, according to the Energy Ministry.

Another relevant crisis on the oil products market occurred in the spring of 2022, as a result of the war launched by Russia against Ukraine. On that period, diesel stocks were sufficient for less than three days of domestic consumption, and the authorities managed the situation by facilitating imports, prioritizing domestic consumption and expanding customs crossing points, according to the same source.

Today, although the crisis triggered by the conflict in the Persian Gulf is affecting the global market, Moldova is better prepared. Current commercial stocks cover between 21 and 30 days of domestic consumption, and the mechanisms for managing emergency situations are already defined under the state of alert declared on 4 March 2026.

The draft law transposes into national legislation the European Union Directive 2009/119/EC, which requires member states to maintain a minimum level of stocks of crude oil and oil products. By implementing this directive, Moldova is honoring the commitments made under the Energy Community Treaty, the Association Agreement with the European Union and the bilateral screening exercise for Chapter 15 – Energy.

The slides presented in the context of the draft come from the former Secretary of State of the Ministry of Energy, Constantin Borosan, and were previously shown at the Energy Community Oil Forum, as well as during the International Energy Agency’s oil crisis simulation exercise held in 2024. These materials highlighted the importance of security stocks for protecting the economy and mitigating the impact of global energy crises.