Moldovan authorities decide to seize all of Lukoil Moldova's fuel infrastructure at Chisinau Airport

CHISINAU. Dec 16 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government has obligated Lukoil Moldova LLC (Lukoil Moldova S.R.L.) to return all airport fuel infrastructure to Chisinau International Airport, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said on Monday.

The council for promoting investment projects of national significance made a decision to decline approval of Lukoil Moldova's investment activities on Moldovan territory, he said.

"In connection with the decision made, the council obligated [the company] to return the situation to the state that existed before 2005 within 20 days, when the airport fuel complex infrastructure was transferred to the company Lukoil Moldova. This decision is a consequence of Lukoil Moldova's failure to fulfill a number of requirements established by the council back in May 2024," he said.

The company was presented with three specific requirements, Munteanu said: the divestment of the complex located in the immediate vicinity of Chisinau International Airport (the deadline for fulfilling this requirement was repeatedly extended), a change in the corporate structure with the exclusion of companies and structures subject to international sanctions, and the divestment of the oil depot located near the airport.

"As a result, all facilities are subject to transfer to state ownership, and the Republic of Moldova will become the owner of the airport infrastructure. This decision was made with the aim of ensuring the uninterrupted supply of aviation fuel, as well as for protecting national security and critical infrastructure facilities," he said.

As reported, the United States has imposed sanctions against the Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft . This could have caused problems with refueling aircraft at Chisinau Airport, as Lukoil Moldova has a monopoly in refueling commercial flights there. In early November, Lukoil Moldova transferred its fuel terminal, which refuels aircraft, to Chisinau Airport for free use. At that time, the country's energy minister, Dorin Junghietu, said that "the next stage is the purchase of assets and infrastructure of the airport belonging to Lukoil Moldova."

According to a report by the Moldovan Competition Council published in the media, Lukoil Moldova accounted for around 20% of retail fuel sales in 2019-2020, and in recent years it accounted for 50% of diesel fuel supplies to Moldova and 100% of aviation fuel.