05 April 2017, Wednesday, 17:05 78

PGO, SBU Holding Searches At Ukrnafta Within Investigation Into Crude Auctions

Редактор: Daria Zubkova

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) are holding searches in the central office of the Ukrnafta, the largest Ukrainian oil-producing company, and its regional branches within investigation into crude oil auctions in 2013-2015.

The press service of the company told this to Ukrainian News Agency.

"The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine is holding searches in the central office of the public joint stock company Ukrnafta and its regional branches in Boryslav, Pryluki, Poltava, and Akhtyrka. The searches are being held on the ground of a ruling of the Kyiv Pecherskyi District Court of March 29, 2017, within a criminal case regarding crude oil auctions in 2013-2015," reads the statement.

The statement reads that the criminal case was instituted on December 29, 2016.

Larysa Sarhan, the press secretary for Prosecutor General Yurii Lutsenko, says the pre-trial investigation has established that Ukrnafta was selling crude oil mostly to companies of the Privat Group. Leaders of Ukrnafta acted in the interests of the Privat Group. They provided the Auction Committee with incorrect information about density of crude oil to make lots cheaper in price. Detectives estimate the damaged inflicted to Ukrnafta at close to UAH 140 million.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the 50%+1 share in the Ukrnafta belongs to Naftogaz of Ukraine national joint-stock company and two 13.6-percent stakes to each Littop Enterprises Limited and Bridgemont Ventures Limited, 12.9% to Bordo Management Limited; the 9.9% - to other companies.

The company operates 1,949 oil and 185 gas wells; has 58 drilling rigs; and owns 537 filling stations.