Three companies are vying for Lukoil's Romanian assets – Minister

Three bidders from Romania, the European Union, and the USA are interested in buying the Romanian assets of the Russian group Lukoil. This includes the Petrotel refinery, a network of gas stations, and a marine gas perimeter, this was reported Romanian Minister of Energy Bogdan Ivan to Economica.net.

The minister added that there are bidders interested in a global deal – acquiring all assets together. Romania was informed about potential buyers a few weeks ago, but the contract will be concluded between two private companies without the involvement of the Romanian authorities.

"At the moment, we are only complying with US sanctions," Ivan said.

He assured that Romania is interested in concluding the agreement as soon as possible. He also explained that the country did not ask for an extension of the American sanctions against Lukoil, because "we are not dependent on Russian resources."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is responsible for implementing such sanctions (particularly regarding Lukoil), together with other relevant ministries – since this is a governmental action – is preparing a regulatory act, to which we contributed last week by providing technical expertise from the Ministry of Energy, precisely to ensure the creation of a legal framework that will provide for a form of oversight of the relevant assets and economic activities," the minister explained.

After initial plans to temporarily take over the Petrotel refinery, the most problematic of Lukoil's local assets, the Romanian authorities announced the development of regulations to facilitate the sale of the Russian group's assets. However, no specific document has yet been made public.

• According to FT estimates, Lukoil may lose its foreign assets due to sanctions. for the amount of 14 billion euros.