Commission for Protection of Competition in Bulgaria has intensified its investigation into companies linked to the Lukoil group by requesting extensive market data from major fuel wholesalers, including Lukoil Neftohim Burgas and Lukoil Bulgaria. The move forms part of an ongoing procedure examining potential abuse of a dominant market position in the country’s fuel sector.
The regulator originally launched the case in June 2025, focusing on suspected irregularities within the market. In this latest phase, companies have been instructed to provide detailed information on storage capacities, inventory levels, wholesale pricing structures, and sales volumes. Authorities are also seeking comprehensive data on crude oil supplies to the Burgas refinery, including origins, suppliers, quantities, and purchase prices, with firms given a five-day deadline to respond.
While the investigation primarily targets wholesale market dynamics, the authority is also monitoring retail fuel prices. It clarified, however, that it can only intervene directly in pricing matters if there is evidence of coordinated behavior among market participants. To support this assessment, additional data has been requested from the National Revenue Agency, covering fuel prices at petrol stations during several periods in late February and early March.
Preliminary findings indicate noticeable price variations for petrol and diesel across different regions and companies, suggesting that pricing decisions are largely independent rather than synchronized. Retailers appear to be adjusting prices individually, reflecting differing responses to market conditions.
Despite these early observations, the regulator continues to analyze the relationship between wholesale and retail markets, emphasizing that changes in wholesale prices directly affect consumer costs. As a result, both segments remain under close scrutiny as part of broader sector monitoring efforts.
The current investigation builds on previous enforcement actions against Lukoil, which resulted in fines exceeding €134 million for earlier violations related to market dominance. Drawing on these past cases and ongoing oversight, the Commission has recently issued recommendations urging the government to take coordinated measures to safeguard competition and ensure market stability.
Among the proposed steps is guaranteeing fair access for other importers and traders to key infrastructure used for fuel storage and transportation. Authorities have also highlighted the need to prevent artificial shortages and unjustified price increases at both wholesale and retail levels. The regulator signaled that its review will continue, with further analysis aimed at determining whether current market conditions reflect fair competition or potential coordinated practices.
