Evgeni Simeonov: LUKOIL reports its strongest performance in Bulgaria in years
"LUKOIL - Bulgaria" exceeds its plan by over 30%, while "LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas" increases oil processing and reports its best result for 2026.
Burgas, August 13, 2026
"The LUKOIL group of companies in Bulgaria is reporting its strongest performance in the last 6 years. In July, "LUKOIL - Bulgaria" achieved its best monthly result for this period, with plan overachievement exceeding 30%."
This was announced by Evgeni Simeonov, Special Commercial Manager of the LUKOIL Group companies in Bulgaria, during a press conference at "LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas", with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Pulev and Deputy Minister Mihaela Karadimova. The statement comes a day after it became known that the United Kingdom is extending the general license for LUKOIL in Bulgaria.
"LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas" AD
The "LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas" refinery is significantly increasing its processing volumes, the Special Commercial Manager stated.
"At the beginning of the year, oil processing at the refinery was around 450 thousand tons, in June it was 527 thousand tons, and in July - 560 thousand tons. The company's liquidity is improving. We have overcome all the risks and cash-gap scenarios that were outlined at the beginning, when I took over the refinery. In July, the best result for "LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas" in 2026 was achieved. The plans have been overachieved multiple times," assured the Special Commercial Manager.
Oil and fuel deliveries
"LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas" has contracted oil deliveries through the end of September, with the necessary quantities for October already being negotiated. Evgeni Simeonov emphasized that deliveries are carried out by large international companies in strict compliance with the applicable sanctions regimes.
"We do not buy and will not buy oil from sanctioned companies. We have never done so," he added.
The extension of the general license
Simeonov also commented on the United Kingdom's extension of the general license for the four LUKOIL companies in Bulgaria, emphasizing the importance of the decision for the security of the Bulgarian fuel market.
"With the extension of the license, the risk of a severe crisis in the supply of light fuels in Bulgaria was averted. I thank the government for its round-the-clock work to avoid such a scenario, as well as the USA and the United Kingdom for their support and the extension of the licenses," stated the Special Commercial Manager.
The potential sale of the assets
On the subject of the potential sale of LUKOIL's assets here, the Special Commercial Manager clarified that the Bulgarian companies are not involved in such discussions.
"These discussions are held between a potential future buyer and the owners of the capital. We are not conducting such discussions," Simeonov stated.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Alexander Pulev emphasized that the refinery currently remains Russian-owned property, and the state's main responsibility is to protect Bulgaria's national interest, ensure the uninterrupted operation of the plant, and prevent potential disruptions for Bulgarian consumers.
