Moldovan authorities allow Lukoil-Moldova to sell fuel across its entire network of filling stations in country

CHISINAU. March 27 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government has allowed Lukoil-Moldova to resume operations across its entire network of filling stations in the country to minimize the consequences of the fuel and energy crisis, the National Crisis Management Center under the country's government said.

"Currently, some of the largest filling stations in the country operated by Lukoil-Moldova LLC are closed. To ensure citizens have access to fuel, it has been approved that, exclusively for the purchase of petroleum products on the local market and their sale through the national network of filling stations, the operator Lukoil may use only existing sources to replenish its stocks, especially diesel fuel, at all stations belonging to it," the center said.

It is noted that in this regard, banking operations for the company regarding the purchase of fuel on the local market and the replenishment of stocks on the filling station network are being simplified.

Lukoil-Moldova LLC (a subsidiary of PJSC Lukoil) is one of the leaders in the petroleum products and liquefied gas market of Moldova. The company owns three petroleum product storage depots (including one gas terminal), and its network includes 102 of the 570 operating filling stations in Moldova.

After the United States imposed sanctions against Lukoil, the Moldovan authorities said that the company would be forced to sell its assets in the country. In February, a fuel refueling complex at Chisinau Airport, which had belonged to Lukoil, was returned to state ownership.