Regulatory
Ireland — oil import rules
These are the same rules the Regulatory Matrix API serves for Ireland-bound trade: which products private parties can move, which run through a government or monopoly route, and which are closed outright.
Open to private trade3
Restricted1
Blocked0
Compiled regulatory guidance from OilFlow Network, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the relevant national regulator before structuring a deal.
Product-by-product
- Crude oilALLOWED
- Allowed for private tradeWhitegate refinery (Irving Oil) — only refinery in Ireland. Heavy product-import dependency (Dublin, Cork, Shannon Foynes).
- Refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet)ALLOWED
- Allowed for private tradeOpen market. Strategic stocks via NORA biofuel-obligation scheme.
- LPGALLOWED
- Allowed for private tradeStandard licensing applies. No special restrictions recorded.
- LNGRESTRICTED
- Restricted — government/monopoly routeNo LNG terminal — moratorium on LNG imports under climate policy (Shannon LNG project on indefinite hold). Pipeline gas via Moffat (UK) interconnector and Corrib field (depleting).
Frequently asked
- Can private companies import crude oil into Ireland?
- Whitegate refinery (Irving Oil) — only refinery in Ireland. Heavy product-import dependency (Dublin, Cork, Shannon Foynes).
- Are refined products (diesel, fuel oil, gasoline) tradeable by private importers in Ireland?
- Open market. Strategic stocks via NORA biofuel-obligation scheme.
- Does OilFlow screen counterparties against Ireland regulations?
- Yes. The same rule table shown on this page ships in the Regulatory Matrix API; counterparty checks destined for Ireland are gated against these rules automatically.