NIS operating license extended by US OFAC until October 30

NIS OFAC energy security oil refinery sanctions extension

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has extended the operating license for Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) until October 30, 2026. This extension allows the company to continue its operations and ensures the Pančevo oil refinery can maintain maximum production of diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and fuel oil.

Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Serbia's Minister of Mining and Energy, described the decision as positive news for the country, particularly as the winter heating season approaches. She noted that the energy situation remains challenging due to geopolitical factors, rising fuel prices, and logistical issues such as low water levels on the Danube.

To stabilize the market, the Serbian government has released 5,000 tons of diesel from state reserves and has been implementing excise tax reductions for several months. Meanwhile, discussions between OFAC and the Hungarian energy group MOL regarding the potential acquisition of NIS from its majority Russian owners, Gazprom Neft, are ongoing.

Entities

Dubravka Đedović Handanović · Gazprom Neft · MOL Group · Naftna Industrija Srbije · Office of Foreign Assets Control · Pančevo · Pančevo Oil Refinery

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] MOL Group signed a framework agreement on January 19, 2026, to purchase a 56.15 percent stake in NIS from Gazprom Neft. gradskeinfo.rs · informacijecrnagora.me · www.danas.rs
[● 15 SOURCES] The Serbian government has been implementing excise tax reductions for several months. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · insajder.net · biznis.kurir.rs · studiob.rs · +10 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The Serbian government released 5,000 tons of diesel from state reserves to the market to address supply challenges. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · insajder.net · biznis.kurir.rs · studiob.rs · +11 more
[DISPUTED] The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) extended the operating license for Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) until October 30. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · insajder.net · biznis.kurir.rs · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +11 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Serbia's Minister of Mining and Energy, stated the extension is good news for the country. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · insajder.net · biznis.kurir.rs · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +11 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Discussions between OFAC and MOL regarding a transaction are ongoing. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · insajder.net · biznis.kurir.rs · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +11 more
[DISPUTED] US OFAC imposed sanctions on NIS on October 9, 2025, due to majority Russian ownership. lat.sputnikportal.rs · www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · fjala.al · gradskeinfo.rs · +10 more
[● 15 SOURCES] The 30-day extension allows the Pančevo oil refinery to continue operations and produce maximum quantities of derivatives. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · insajder.net · biznis.kurir.rs · lat.sputnikportal.rs · +10 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The extension allows the Pančevo oil refinery to continue operations and produce maximum quantities of derivatives. www.bl-portal.com · borba.me · fjala.al · gradskeinfo.rs · informacijecrnagora.me · +11 more