Bulgarian Authorities Weigh Potential Purchase of Lukoil Refinery

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev has stated that any decision on a potential state buyback of the Lukoil Neftokhim refinery must be preceded by a detailed assessment of its value, risks, and long-term benefits for the country. Responding to a question about how such an acquisition could be financed, Donev said “an assessment must be made, to see what the value is and what the benefits are that the state would have from this asset, can it manage it?” He added that the issue is not currently part of the government’s formal agenda. The statement comes after the special commercial administrator of the refinery, Rumen Spetsov, suggested that Bulgaria could have a “historic opportunity” to regain control of the asset....