The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) in Bulgaria has escalated its investigation into the Lukoil group and its affiliates, including Lukoil Neftohim Burgas and Lukoil Bulgaria. This inquiry aims to assess potential abuse of market dominance within the country’s fuel sector, a move that underscores the regulatory body’s commitment to maintaining competitive practices in the energy market.
Initially launched in June 2025, the investigation focuses on identifying irregularities in market operations. The CPC has mandated that involved companies submit detailed market data, including information on storage capacities, inventory levels, wholesale pricing structures, and sales volumes. Additionally, firms are required to provide comprehensive data regarding crude oil supplies to the Burgas refinery, detailing origins, suppliers, quantities, and purchase prices. Companies have been given a five-day deadline to comply with these requests.
This regulatory scrutiny extends beyond wholesale dynamics; the CPC is also monitoring retail fuel prices. However, intervention in pricing will only occur if there is evidence of coordinated behavior among market participants. To facilitate this assessment, the CPC has sought further information from the National Revenue Agency regarding fuel prices at petrol stations during specific periods in late February and early March.
Preliminary findings from the investigation reveal significant price variations for petrol and diesel across various regions and companies. These discrepancies suggest that retailers are making independent pricing decisions rather than acting in concert, indicating diverse responses to fluctuating market conditions.
The CPC continues to analyze the interplay between wholesale and retail markets, emphasizing that fluctuations in wholesale prices have a direct impact on consumer costs. Both segments remain under rigorous examination as part of broader efforts to ensure market integrity.
This ongoing investigation builds upon previous actions against Lukoil, which resulted in fines exceeding €134 million for past violations concerning market dominance. In light of these historical precedents and current oversight activities, the CPC has issued recommendations for coordinated government measures aimed at safeguarding competition and ensuring stability within the fuel market.
Proposed measures include ensuring fair access for other importers and traders to essential infrastructure used for fuel storage and transportation. The CPC has also stressed the importance of preventing artificial shortages and unjustified price hikes at both wholesale and retail levels. The regulator has indicated that its review will persist, with further analyses intended to determine whether existing market conditions reflect fair competition or potential coordinated practices.
