The National Assembly has repealed its October 31, 2025 decision, which had temporarily suspended the export and supply of oil products — mainly diesel and jet fuel — to EU countries. The change takes effect as soon as it is published in the State Gazette.
During the debate, Deputy Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry Mihaela Karadimova explained the rationale that should guide decisions of this kind. "The guiding principle must remain guaranteeing domestic consumption and the country's energy security. The needs of Bulgarian citizens and businesses must be secured first, and only then should surplus quantities be exported," she said.
Karadimova recalled how the ban came about — it took effect immediately after the United States imposed sanctions on Lukoil and companies linked to it. At the time, there was a real risk that crude oil deliveries to the refinery in Burgas would stop, which in turn would have jeopardized fuel supplies to the Bulgarian market.
"At present, circumstances are different. The refinery's production activity has been restored, crude oil deliveries are being made regularly, and the plant is working as a priority to meet domestic market needs," the deputy minister noted.
According to her, the Burgas refinery can produce more fuel than is consumed domestically. That means that once the needs of Bulgarian citizens and businesses are covered, there are quantities left over that can be sold abroad.
Karadimova cited data as of September 3, 2026, according to which around 50,000 tons of diesel fuel are stored at the Lukoil Neftohim Burgas AD site. That quantity, she said, is surplus above domestic market needs and can be exported. At the market price cited in the analysis, those reserves are worth about $73.2 million. If the quantities the refinery will produce in October are added, the total value of the fuel could reach around $197.6 million.
The deputy minister pointed out that the refinery is operating at about 90% of capacity, with the domestic market remaining the priority. If the export ban were to continue while quantities build up beyond what the domestic market can absorb, it could put a strain on the company's cash flow. There is also a risk that the accumulated reserves could lose value if international market prices change.
"Our responsibility is both to guarantee security of supply for Bulgarian citizens and businesses, and not to maintain extraordinary administrative restrictions once the grounds for them no longer exist," Karadimova said.
"As long as the unconditional priority of supplying the Bulgarian market is preserved, there are grounds to repeal the temporary ban on the export and intra-Community supply of diesel fuel," she concluded.