Efforts to determine the future ownership and operational structure of Serbian oil company NIS are ongoing, with negotiations between Hungarian MOL and Russian Gazprom Neft still in progress ahead of several critical regulatory deadlines.
According to Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović, MOL has formally requested an additional 30-day extension from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The extension would provide more time for the parties to continue discussions, as the current deadline is set to expire on 6 June.
The Minister stated that the Hungarian company believes further time is necessary to advance talks and explore a viable solution regarding the company’s future structure. She also noted that both Gazprom Neft representatives and MOL’s management have expressed a willingness to continue negotiations, indicating that all sides remain engaged in seeking an agreement.
At the same time, another important regulatory deadline is approaching, as NIS must apply for a renewal of its operating license, which expires on 16 June. The company has previously received temporary extensions while discussions over its ownership and status have continued.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, NIS operations remain stable. Refinery activity has continued without interruption, with processing levels holding at around 10,000 tons per month, according to the Minister.
Đedović also highlighted continued volatility in global energy markets, noting that external conditions remain challenging for Serbia and the broader European energy sector. However, she emphasized that domestic measures have helped maintain market stability and uninterrupted fuel supply within the country.
