NIS Seeks OFAC License to Keep Operating During Ownership Talks

Overview

• NIS said it filed a new request on November 18 for a special OFAC license that would allow the company to continue operating while ownership negotiations proceed.
• An earlier OFAC license issued on November 14 permits negotiations over an ownership change and runs until February 13, 2026, but does not authorize normal operations.
• Serbia’s energy minister said Russian owners agreed to sell a 56.15% stake in NIS to a third party, with the prospective buyer not yet identified publicly.
• The U.S. sanctioned Gazprom Neft, its CEO Alexander Dyukov, and NIS, with restrictions taking effect on October 9, when Croatia’s JANAF also suspended pipeline cooperation with NIS.
• Serbia has said Washington requires a Russian exit from NIS ownership for sanctions relief, and leaders in Belgrade have signaled they want to avoid nationalization while safeguarding fuel supplies.