Lukoil International Asset Divestment: Who Will Control the Balkan Energy Corridor?
Lukoil international asset divestment gains momentum in 2026. Explore potential buyers like SOCAR and QatarEnergy for the Burgas and Petrotel refineries.
A Russian energy titan is retreating from its Western strongholds, leaving a multibillion-dollar vacuum in the European market. According to Reuters, Lukoil is accelerating plans to offload its core European operations as regulatory hurdles and sanctions make ownership increasingly untenable.
Strategic Bidders Circle Lukoil International Asset Divestment
The crown jewel of the sale is the Neftochim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria. It's the largest of its kind in the Balkans, boasting a capacity of 7 million tons per year. Industry sources suggest that Azerbaijan's SOCAR is a frontrunner, aiming to integrate its own crude supplies with the Bulgarian facility.
Other potential suitors include QatarEnergy and various Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds looking to expand their refining footprint in the EU. In Romania, the Petrotel refinery and an extensive retail network are also on the block, attracting interest from regional consortiums.
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