Russian energy group Lukoil is about to sell its largest asset in the Balkans, the Lukoil Neftochim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria, to a Qatari-British consortium, Capital and Dnevnik report, quoting the Financial Times (FT). The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
In a press release published on its website, Litasco SA, which is a member of the Lukoil group and the main shareholder of the Bulgarian refinery, describes as “speculation” the FT story, which, quoting own sources of the British newspaper, says that Lukoil plans to sell its majority stake in the Bulgarian oil refinery by the end of 2024. Litasco says the FT item speculates about a deal involving a Qatari-British consortium. Litasco says it has not been approached by journalists for comment on recent media allegations about the sale of the refinery.
According to Litasco, the reports are inaccurate and misleading. No discussions are being held with the said Qatari-British consortium, and no communication has been conducted with the Russian authorities about the matter, Litasco says.
It adds that no decision has been made about a concrete deal or a potential buyer.
The company goes on to note in its press release that the Bulgarian authorities, the Lukoil Union of Bulgarian Oil Workers and other interested parties will be kept posted by the Russian energy corporation on all important developments related to its Bulgarian assets.
On Wednesday, Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said that neither he nor his ministry have information about the potential sale of Lukoil Neftochim Burgas.
/MT/
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