The Commission for Protection of Competition initiates proceedings to establish a possible infringements on the fuel markets
The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) initiated proceedings to establish possible infringements of national and european competition law by „Lukoil Neftochim Burgas“ AD and „Lukoil-Bulgaria“ EOOD.
Monitoring the fuel markets is a priority in the CPC’s work, given its significance for the economy, the prices of goods and services, and for the end consumers. The CPC has already identified violations of competitive conditions in the sector and has imposed fines on companies from the “Lukoil” Group amounting to a total of 262 907 629 BGN.
In 2024 and 2025, the CPC received signals, including one from a participant in the fuel distribution markets, containing allegations of intentional restriction of fuel imports and wholesale trade in Bulgaria. This information was added to data gathered during regular sectoral monitoring.
The proceedings initiation Decision is based on a preliminary investigation, which the CPC announced on June 2, 2025. During this investigation, indicators of potential distortion of competition were identified in vertically connected markets for the distribution of A95H gasoline and diesel fuel.
The purpose of the proceedings is to determine whether there are new forms of abuse of dominant position that could impact the overall market structure, the behavior of other market participants, and the interests of consumers.
The decision to initiate the proceedings for possible infringement of Article 21 of the Bulgarian Law on protection of Competition (LPC) and/or Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) is publicly available in the CPC’s electronic register: https://reg.cpc.bg/AllNewResolutions.aspx?dt=1&ot=2
During the investigation, the CPC may cooperate with the National Revenue Agency, the Consumer Protection Commission, Customs Agency, and other regulatory bodies.
Information relevant to the investigation may be submitted to the Commission at the email address: delovodstvo@cpc.bg or at the address: 18 Vitosha Blvd., Sofia.