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Serbia Says MOL, Gazprom Neft Set Basic NIS Sale Terms for OFAC Review

US approval could keep NIS operating past January 23, with Serbia seeking greater control.

A view of Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) oil refinery in Pancevo, Serbia, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
A raven flies over the Gazprom company logo at a petrol station in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
A raven flies between the NIS "Naftna industrija Srbije" (Petroleum Industry of Serbia) on an office building and the Gazprom company logo at a petrol station in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
A raven stands on a petrol station roof in front of the NIS "Naftna industrija Srbije" (Petroleum Industry of Serbia) company logo on an office building in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Overview

  • Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said MOL and Gazprom Neft agreed on the basic provisions of a future sale and purchase agreement for Gazprom Neft’s stake in NIS and will submit them to the US for review.
  • OFAC has licensed NIS to operate until January 23 and to negotiate a sale until March 24, with Belgrade aiming to file the draft terms by January 19–20 to seek an operating extension.
  • President Aleksandar Vucic said the submission will detail ownership rights, company structure and share percentages to support OFAC’s decision on continued operations.
  • The Pancevo refinery, which supplies about 80% of Serbia’s fuel, restarted production on Sunday after a December 31 licence reprieve following an early December shutdown.
  • Serbia is negotiating to raise its stake to around 35% for greater decision-making rights, ADNOC is in talks to join the buyer group, and MOL has pledged to keep the refinery running under a future deal.