# NIS ownership and oil transport negotiations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nis-ownership-and-oil-transport-negotiations
> Updated: 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Negotiations regarding the sale of a majority stake in Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) from Russia’s Gazprom Neft to the Hungarian company MOL have progressed, with the Serbian government stating it is not an obstacle to the talks. Discussions have reportedly involved compromises on issues such as oil royalty rates, which were settled at 9 percent. Additionally, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has expressed interest in becoming a minority shareholder following a potential acquisition by MOL.

However, the situation entered a period of uncertainty due to the expiration of critical U.S. licenses on August 28. To address this, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has extended the operating license for NIS until September 30. This extension is intended to ensure the continued functioning of the Pančevo oil refinery and provide necessary time to finalize ownership negotiations.

Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated that the extension is “vital for national energy security,” noting that the Pančevo refinery increased processing to approximately 13,000 tons of oil per day in August to meet diesel demand. 

Negotiations are reportedly in their final stages. Recent developments include a shareholder agreement in which the Serbian government will acquire an additional 5 percent stake in NIS. While Serbian businessman Ranko Mimović previously expressed interest in acquiring the majority stake through a special license application, current focus remains on the deal between Gazprom Neft and MOL.

## Claims

- The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has extended the operating license for Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) until September 30. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The license extension ensures the continued operation of the Pančevo oil refinery. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Pančevo refinery increased oil processing to approximately 13,000 tons per day during August. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Negotiations regarding the sale of NIS between Hungarian company MOL and Gazprom Neft are in the final stages. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- MOL and the Serbian government reached a compromise on a 9 percent mineral rent for oil extraction. (single source)
- The Serbian government and MOL signed a shareholder agreement for Serbia to acquire an additional 5 percent stake in NIS. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-28: NIS operating license extended by US until September 30

The US has extended NIS's operating license until September 30, ensuring the Pančevo refinery remains active while MOL and Gazprom Neft finalize negotiations for the company's ownership.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/janaf-and-nis-face-uncertainty-as-us-licenses-expire

### 2026-08-15: MOL and Gazprom Neft advance NIS ownership negotiations

Negotiations between MOL and Gazprom Neft over the sale of NIS's majority stake are advancing, with Serbia not acting as an obstacle. Key details include royalty compromises and regional supply disruptions.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mol-and-gazprom-neft-advance-nis-ownership-negotiations

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Cite as: NIS ownership and oil transport negotiations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nis-ownership-and-oil-transport-negotiations