The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) in Bulgaria has escalated its scrutiny of Lukoil and its associated entities, focusing on potential abuses of market dominance within the country’s fuel sector. This intensified investigation involves a request for extensive market data from significant fuel wholesalers, including Lukoil Neftohim Burgas and Lukoil Bulgaria, as part of ongoing regulatory procedures.
Initially launched in June 2025, the CPC’s inquiry aims to uncover irregularities affecting market competition. In its latest phase, the regulator has mandated companies to submit detailed information regarding their storage capacities, inventory levels, wholesale pricing structures, and sales volumes. Additionally, firms must provide comprehensive data on crude oil supplies to the Burgas refinery, detailing origins, suppliers, quantities, and purchase prices within a five-day deadline.
While the primary focus remains on wholesale market operations, the CPC is also monitoring retail fuel prices. The authority clarified that it can only intervene in pricing matters if there is evidence of coordinated behavior among market players. To assess this, further data has been requested from the National Revenue Agency regarding fuel prices at petrol stations during specific periods in late February and early March.
Preliminary findings indicate significant price variations for petrol and diesel across various regions and companies. This suggests that pricing strategies are largely independent rather than coordinated among retailers, reflecting individual responses to market conditions.
Despite these early observations, the CPC continues to investigate the interplay between wholesale and retail markets. The regulator emphasizes that fluctuations in wholesale prices directly impact consumer costs. Consequently, both segments remain under close examination as part of broader monitoring efforts within the sector.
This current investigation builds on previous enforcement actions against Lukoil that resulted in fines exceeding €134 million for earlier violations concerning market dominance. Drawing from these past cases and ongoing oversight measures, the CPC has recently issued recommendations urging governmental action to maintain competition and ensure stability in the market.
Among the proposed measures is ensuring fair access for other importers and traders to vital infrastructure used for fuel storage and transportation. Additionally, authorities have stressed the importance of preventing artificial shortages and unjustified price escalations at both wholesale and retail levels. The regulator has indicated that its review will persist as it seeks to determine whether current market conditions signify fair competition or potential coordinated practices among participants.
