Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

There is interest in the sale of Lukoil refinery Bulgaria's Burgas

Photo: Lukoil Neftochim Burgas

The increased pressure of the Bulgarian government on the Russian companies operating in Bulgaria has caused Lukoil to start a procedure for the sale of its Burgas-based oil refinery, Bulgarian Finance Minister Assen Vassilev told the Financial Times. There are already "signs of interest" from a potential buyer. Only after the deal is completed will the profit tax for the refinery be reduced from 60% to 15%. 

The transition of production to non-Russian oil will cost around 500 ln euro, the publication writes.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov has commented that it is not clear whether the expressed interest in the refinery will end with a purchase and everything depends on the owner Lukoil Bulgaria. "When it comes to such a large asset, there are quite a few stages before a successful final deal is reached," the prime minister added.

Lukoil Burgas is the largest Russian oil refinery in Southeast Europe. The company exports more than half of its production, with most of the diesel fuel going to Ukraine, the Financial Times specifies.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

IMF assesses Bulgaria's near-term growth outlook as positive

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Bulgaria. According to the IMF’s procedure for assessments and recommendations, domestic demand is driving a robust expansion of the..

published on 11/25/25 10:18 AM

Bulgaria's first state budget in euros – between two readings in the National Assembly and a wave of dissatisfaction

The draft state budget was adopted in first reading by the National Assembly on November 21. However, the planned changes in the financial framework for 2026 triggered an open clash between the ruling coalition, led by GERB party, and the opposition..

published on 11/24/25 2:25 PM

KBC Group raises its forecast for Bulgaria's economic growth in 2026

KBC Group expects the Bulgarian economy to grow slightly more next year in comparison to its previous forecasts, according to the conclusions of the Belgian financial group's latest assessments of the economies of Central and Eastern..

published on 11/20/25 8:50 AM