Lukoil's Burgas refinery says Bulgaria has no reason to fear diesel shortage
The refinery produces up to 260,000 tonnes of diesel a month against domestic demand of up to 190,000. GERB's Borissov calls lifting the export ban a gross mistake.
Archive image · Photo: Nasomatrix / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
The Lukoil Neftohim Burgas refinery said on Saturday that Bulgaria has no grounds to fear a diesel shortage as long as the plant operates and supplies the domestic market. It produces 240,000 to 260,000 tonnes of diesel a month, compared with domestic consumption of up to 190,000 tonnes, and exports the surplus, the company said in a statement to BTA news agency.
An export ban would not create more fuel for Bulgarian consumers but would restrict production and strain efficiency, the refinery argued, adding that halting exports of high-value products such as diesel and jet fuel reduces economic output. Parliament on Sept. 23 repealed a temporary ban, in force since Oct. 31, 2025, on exports of petroleum products, mainly diesel and jet fuel, to EU countries, with the backing of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party.
GERB leader Boyko Borissov earlier on Saturday called the repeal a gross mistake that would bring large profits to some traders at consumers' expense. Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova told BNT it was important that the refinery keep running and that Bulgaria have a say in its future, adding that any sale would require Russian approval and a well-funded investor.