The US Department of the Treasury, in a notice from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), said it has extended an exemption from sanctions for the Russian oil company Lukoil, allowing its filling stations outside Russia to operate until 24 April 2027. The notice says.
What the new US licence allows
The new licence allows gas stations (АЗС) operating under the Lukoil brand outside Russia, including in the United States, to serve customers until 24 April 2027. It replaces a previous authorisation that was due to expire at the end of October.
The licence retains a prohibition on transferring funds to any person or account in Russia. It also does not permit transactions involving the Central Bank of Russia, the National Welfare Fund or the Ministry of Finance of Russia.
Separate authorisations for Lukoil’s assets in Bulgaria
By a separate licence, the US Treasury authorised certain operations by Lukoil’s companies in Bulgaria for the same period. General Licence No. 130B allows the continuation of selected activities at the Burgas oil refinery, across the retail network of filling stations, and by companies supplying aviation and marine fuel.
These authorisations do not lift the sanctions against Lukoil. They do not extend to transactions involving other sanctioned persons or entities, nor to activities prohibited by US sanctions law.
Reasons for extending the exemptions
The decision was taken a week after US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russia on supplying diesel fuel to the US and global markets. Following that announcement, the US Department of the Treasury issued a temporary licence intended to facilitate such supplies.
The US imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft in October 2025. Lukoil subsequently announced plans to sell its international assets, and US authorities have repeatedly extended authorisations for certain company activities while a buyer is sought.
