Hungary energy liberalization: failing to make real progress

Hungary highlights the problems faced by EU member states, especially the new accession countries that are trying to adopt EU energy laws. Like most EU members, Hungary's electricity market will be opened to competition from July 1, 2007. However, this may be compromised by the current nature of the region's energy sector, which suggests that the EU needs to improve its liberalized market agenda.

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Hungary: electricity market opening date set back

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Lekkerland: wholesale gains in Europe's forecourt shops

Lukoil has recently chosen Lekkerland as the wholesaler to its shops in Hungary. Selecting a supplier is an increasingly important decision for forecourt retailers as they seek to maximize shop profitability through a combination of wholesale and direct supply contracts. With a string of major oil retailers in its customer portfolio, Lekkerland is a popular choice.

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Lukoil: downstream focus gathers pace

Leading Russian oil producer Lukoil has entered into talks with ConocoPhillips to acquire some 380 filling stations under the Jet brand. This move illustrates the fact that, while the US giant begins a huge divesture program to fund upstream investments, Lukoil is heading downstream with a vengeance.

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Lukoil: go West

Lukoil has announced its acquisition of petrol stations in Hungary, while its purchase of Finland's Teboil has also been approved by the European Commission. Not only do these deals secure a dependable outlet for its oil exports, they are also an indication of Lukoil's clear ambition to establish itself firmly in European fuel retail.

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MOL/Agip: forecourts to profit from poor health

Changes in legislation regarding the sale of over-the-counter medicines in Hungary have led two of the country's fuel retailers to announce plans to begin selling non-prescription drugs. With the Hungarian over-the-counter medicines market forecast to see an average annual increase of 5% between 2005 and 2009, Agip and MOL are certain to experience healthy profits from this venture.

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MOL: one step closer to acquiring Croatia's INA

Hungary-based MOL's long-held ambition of acquiring Croatian firm INA is one step closer to reality now that it has become the largest shareholder in the company, after purchasing many of the shares issued in a free float. Further talks are underway regarding MOL's desire to purchase some or all of Croatian government's remaining share, while Austria's OMV is keeping an unexpectedly low profile.

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MOL: taking its foot off the gas

MOL can now focus on its goal of becoming central Europe's leading oil refiner and retailer. It will also get rid of a subsidiary that made a $428 million loss last year, hamstrung by unrealistically low retail prices. The deal might be worse news for the Hungarian taxpayer, since the government is effectively taking a lossmaking business off MOL's hands.

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MVM: impediments to effective competition in Hungary

The European Commission and Hungary's own competition authorities are probing the influence of MVM in the power sector with a view to restricting the level of market power it is currently able to wield. However, with MVM opposing changes to the current state of affairs, a huge amount of political resolve will be needed if any major improvement in the competition outlook is to be seen anytime soon.

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Nordic fuel retailers take unmanned voyage east

While unmanned or automated sites have been an integral part of the forecourt retailing landscape in the Nordic markets for decades, in other parts of Europe this concept of automated payment, no shop and slightly more barren forecourts has never quite managed to take off. But a new wave of openings is now occurring, targeting markets further east.

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