Petrotel has stopped receiving Russian oil since December 5, 2022, using only oil in accordance with EU regulations. The refinery is in maintenance, and its future depends on the sale of Lukoil's assets.

According to Oil Terminal, the Petrotel refinery has not received Russian crude oil since December 5, 2022, using exclusively oil from sources compliant with European Union regulations, as a result of the sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. The refinery is currently under technical maintenance, and its restart has been postponed until December 15, in accordance with the deadline set by the U.S. for the sale of Lukoil's assets. This includes Petrotel and the network of service stations in Romania.

Lukoil is seeking a single buyer for its international assets, and the American fund Carlyle is a potential buyer. Petrotel represents an important client for Oil Terminal, contributing 20% to its revenues, and the closure of the refinery significantly affects port operations. Although the Romanian state considered a temporary takeover of the refinery, this option is no longer viable, and the government is working on a mechanism to manage similar situations. The future of the refinery and the network of service stations depends on ongoing international negotiations.