Gazprom Neft Sets Eyes on Another 7 Filling Stations in Bulgaria

Russia's Gazprom Neft plans to buy another 7 filling stations in Bulgaria.

On November 17, Capital daily informed that the Russian energy giant had already launched its expansion in Bulgaria through its Serbian unit, Naftna Industrija Srbije, which had started buying filling stations in the country.

NIS Petrol EOOD, which has already sealed contracts for the purchasing small filling stations currently operated by Geriya EOOD, Ir Max EOOD, B Plus OOD, Gand Oil OOD, Tim Oil OOD, Arena – I.T. EOOD and by two natural persons – Krasimir Georgiev and Teodora Yordanova, was registered in Bulgaria in end-August.

The company approached Bulgaria's Commission on Protection of Competition (KZK) for a clearance for concentration for the transaction.

Such a request has also been filed for the seven new sites, which are owned by Automation of Discrete Production – Smolyan, Kardzhali-based ZAH, Veliko Tarnovo-based City Invest, Blagoevgrad-registered M-Oil D, Asenovgrad's Italy Group and leasing company Credianstalt Bulus, part of Unicredit Leasing.

NIS Petrol EOOD has so far refused to disclose further details about its plans in Bulgaria.

According to unconfirmed reports published in Capital daily, the firm plans to operate a network of 70 filling stations by end-2013.

Anrdey Delchev, Chair of the Bulgarian Petroleum and Gas Association (BPGA), has suggested that the company aims to acquire a share of up to 8% of fuel retail sales in Bulgaria, thereby landing sixth between EKO-Elda Bulgaria, a subsidiary of Greek Hellenic Petroleum Group, and Romanian Rompetrol.

Representatives of the sector have said that they do not expect Gazprom Neft's advent to cause major changes on the market.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!