US authorities have extended by another month the period during which certain transactions involving Lukoil's foreign assets are permitted, a decision announced on the same day that Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev held a telephone conversation with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright focused on bilateral energy cooperation.
According to the Bulgarian government's press service, Radev and Wright discussed a range of strategic energy issues, including diversification of energy supplies in Southeast Europe, regional connectivity, construction of the Vertical Gas Corridor, new reactors at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant using US technology, and opportunities to develop large data centers and artificial intelligence facilities.
During the conversation, Radev also emphasized the importance of the uninterrupted operation of the Burgas refinery for both Bulgaria and the wider region.
Separately, the US Treasury Department announced that it had extended until 12:01 a.m. on August 22 the authorization for certain transactions involving Lukoil International GmbH, the company through which the Russian energy giant holds its foreign assets.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the licenses related to Lukoil International GmbH serve different purposes. One license, allowing the maintenance and operation of gas stations outside Russia, remains valid until October 29, 2026. Another, covering the sale of Lukoil's foreign assets to buyers not subject to sanctions, has now been extended until August 22, 2026.
