Romanian authorities are reportedly investigating a suspected Russian sabotage operation involving the contamination of Azerbaijani crude oil destined for Europe. The oil, transported via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, was found to contain high levels of organic chlorides, which pose a significant threat to refinery infrastructure. Romanian media reported that authorities are considering the possibility that Russia deliberately introduced the contaminants as part of a hybrid warfare strategy aimed at destabilizing critical infrastructure without direct military engagement.

In early August 2025, a shipment of Azerbaijani crude oil arriving at Romania's Constanța port was discovered to be contaminated. The levels of organic chlorides found were sufficient to potentially damage the OMV Petrom Petrobrazi refinery. The contamination was traced back to the BTC pipeline, which spans over 1,700 km from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey.

In response, Romania declared a national energy crisis on August 4, 2025. The Ministry of Energy authorized the release of 80,000 tons of crude oil and 30,000 tons of diesel from strategic reserves to mitigate potential fuel shortages. Additionally, refineries in Italy and the Czech Republic reported receiving contaminated shipments, prompting further investigations. The BTC pipeline is a crucial alternative route for transporting Caspian oil to European markets, and the contamination highlights the vulnerabilities in energy infrastructure.