Earlier this week, western media outlets reported that Russian oil company Lukoil had selected a Qatari-British consortium as the buyer for its Neftochim Burgas oil refinery in Bulgaria, with the transaction potentially set to be completed by the end of the year. However, Lukoil’s Swiss-based subsidiary, Litasco, which is the primary shareholder of the Bulgarian refinery, quickly dismissed these claims as speculative.
In a statement, Litasco refuted the reports, labeling them as inaccurate and misleading. The company clarified that no journalists had contacted them for comment on the rumors and emphasized that no negotiations were taking place with the alleged consortium. Furthermore, Litasco stated that no discussions had occurred with Russian authorities regarding the sale of the refinery, and no decisions had been made regarding any potential transaction or buyer.
Litasco assured that it would promptly inform relevant parties, including Bulgarian authorities and other stakeholders, should any significant developments arise regarding its Bulgarian assets.
Caretaker Bulgarian Minister of Energy, Vladimir Malinov, also stated that the Ministry had no information on the reported sale of the Neftochim Burgas refinery and was not aware of any ongoing negotiations.
As of now, the future of Lukoil’s Bulgarian assets remains uncertain, and Litasco has firmly rejected the speculation surrounding the refinery’s potential sale.
