The Commission for the Protection of Competition in Bulgaria has fined Lukoil’s Bulgarian subsidiary 67.7 million leva ($36.83 million) for abuse of a dominant position on the market, Reuters reports.

Lukoil Bulgaria, controlled by the Russian group Lukoil, has put pressure on competitors by gradually increasing price conditions on the wholesale market and eliminating quantity discounts between March 2021 and June 2022. These decisions could limit competition in the fuel market and affect consumers, say the Sofia authorities, according to Agerpres.

“The investigation of the Commission for the Protection of Competition has shown that Lukoil Bulgaria has implemented a comprehensive strategy to limit competition in the field of wholesale fuel sales in the country,” the regulatory authority’s press release states. The institution started the verification of Lukoil Bulgaria following the complaint of the Bulgarian subsidiary of OMV and other companies.

In September 2022, Lukoil’s Bulgarian subsidiary was accused in Bulgaria of violating competition regulations.

Lukoil Bulgaria controls the country’s only refinery, Neftochim Burgas, and operates over 200 gas stations.

During the investigation, Lukoil Bulgaria changed and corrected its market behavior, claims the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission.