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U.S. and regional companies show interest in Lukoil’s assets in Kazakhstan

15 December 2025 12:36 (UTC +04:00)

U.S. companies and investors from countries neighboring Kazakhstan are showing interest in acquiring the assets of Russia’s Lukoil in Kazakhstan due to sanctions. However, Astana has pre-emptive rights to purchase these assets, and the government will decide whether to exercise this right, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Erlan Akkenzhenov said, APA reports, citing TASS.

"As I said, the government of Kazakhstan is currently not holding any negotiations regarding the acquisition of these assets. However, I know that a large number of companies are showing interest. These include both American companies and companies from neighboring countries in our region. Therefore, let us wait, but I would like to remind you that in accordance with the Subsoil Use Code, the Republic of Kazakhstan has pre-emptive rights, and we will decide in the future whether or not to exercise this right,” the minister said.

He noted that the United States has currently extended the deadline for the sanctions to take effect until mid-January.

“Therefore, we are all eagerly awaiting the end of this period and the subsequent steps,” Erlan Akkenzhenov added.