Bulgaria's move to import gas should trigger market development

If Bulgaria proceeds with potential plans to begin importing Egyptian gas, the move will have positive effects on its small, though potentially much larger, gas market. However, given Bulgaria's role as a transit state, the benefits of increased security and diversity of supply arising from the Egyptian imports will also be felt elsewhere in the region.

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CEZ makes smart move with Varna plant buy

CEZ's acquisition of the Varna coal plant in Bulgaria would, at first sight, appear to be a challenging acquisition to make given the lack of competitive intensity in Bulgaria and ever-tightening environmental legislation. However, it is in fact a judicious move given the expected development of the market and the access to lucrative carbon emissions credits likely to come with the plant.

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Every drop helps on Europe's forecourts

In mature western European markets where fuel demand growth is stable and traditional suppliers are cutting their networks, supermarkets are driving efficiency gains. At either end of the scale, Spain and Italy contrast as excellent examples of efficient fuel retailing, the former being the most proficient vendor of fuel in Europe.

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Gas pipelines: ensuring energy supply versus increasing market access

As discussions about the development of Europe's gas corridor continue, Bulgaria's energy minister has announced that the biggest two projects will "most probably" get derogation from the regulatory framework, which aims to improve competitor access to pipeline networks. This would be a setback for EU policy, but the union needs to face economic realities while improving energy security.

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LUKOIL: aiming high in Central Europe

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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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Petrol: going mobile

Fuel retailer Petrol is introducing a prepaid mobile phone in Bulgaria. This decision could well be a positive move for the company, providing it with a way to increase loyalty at its service stations and grow its brand name.

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Plant closure will result in significant shortage of Bulgarian generation capacity

The impending closure of two more units at Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear facility will create supply shortage issues in both Bulgaria and surrounding markets. However, while the development of new plant projects will ease these supply issues, there is certain to be a time lag before Bulgaria can begin to reclaim its position as the fourth largest electricity exporter in Europe.

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RWE pulls out of Belene

Having held a 49% stake in the Belene Power Company since 2008, RWE has pulled out of the joint venture set up to run the proposed 2,000MW Belene nuclear power plant, citing spiraling costs and delays from the Bulgarian government. RWE and its project partner NEK will be disappointed by the outcome, which leaves something of a power vacuum in southeastern Europe for Russian firms to exploit.

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The gloves are off in central European fuel retail

Rapid network expansion and upstream muscle are the unstoppable forces pushing Lukoil to the fore of fuel retailing in central and eastern Europe (CEE). The firm is the key mover in the region, expanding its site presence by a remarkable 180% over the past three years. But selling petrol is not simply a numbers game: Lukoil is also successfully incorporating a strong shop proposition.

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