The return of the US company Chevron to Romania, should it take over Lukoil's assets in the country, would be a very strong political, strategic and regional message from the US, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan believes.
"I believe it would be a very strong political, strategic, regional message from the US. I am subjective, but I truly believe that Romania is the best US partner in the entire Central and Eastern Europe. Romania has an extremely important geostrategic position, a very solid track record with the United States of America and I strongly believe that we must play a leading role both in the vertical corridor and in the reconstruction of Ukraine. And this can only be done in partnership with the current administration in Washington. It would be an extremely good and positive signal, and I would be very pleased to see the American state more present, with major investments in Romania, and I will do everything within my power to get us there," Ivan said, when asked about his view on Chevron's possible return to Romania.
The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that US energy companies Chevron and Quantum Capital Group are preparing a 22 billion USD (20.3 billion euro) bid to acquire the international assets of the Russian group Lukoil, which has been affected by sanctions.
The offer targets the Russian company's refineries and more than 2,000 petrol stations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including the Burgas refinery in Bulgaria, as well as various tax warehouses.
The transaction would potentially have the backing of the Trump administration, which allowed US companies to negotiate with Lukoil until 17 January.
If the deal goes ahead, Chevron and Quantum Energy Partners intend to split Lukoil's entire international portfolio between them. This structure of the agreement appears to have potential backing from the Trump administration, the Financial Times reported, quoting sources who wished to remain anonymous.
Other companies, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Carlyle Group, Midad Energy and MOL, are also said to be interested in Lukoil's international assets.
The US and the UK imposed sanctions in October on Russia's largest oil companies - Lukoil and Rosneft - following the invasion of Ukraine. The US later extended the deadline for the sale of Lukoil's international assets to 17 January 2026.
Following the US sanctions, Lukoil has faced disruptions in its international operations. The company produces around 2 percent of global oil output in Russia and abroad and has announced that it is seeking buyers for its international assets, which account for 0.5 percent of global oil production and are valued at approximately 22 billion USD, based on 2024 financial statements. A
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