Germany takes control of 3 Russian-owned oil refineries

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends his first annual summer news conference in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

BERLIN — Germany is taking control of three Russian-owned refineries in the country to ensure energy security before an embargo on oil from Russia takes effect next year, officials said. 

Two subsidiaries of Russian oil giant Rosneft — Rosneft Deutschland GmbH and RN Refining & Marketing GmbH — will be put under the administration of Germany’s Federal Network Agency, the Economy Ministry said in a statement. 

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As a result, the agency will also control the companies’ shares in the refineries PCK Schwedt, MiRo and Bayernoil, located in the east and south of Germany. 

“This is a far-reaching energy policy decision to protect our country,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “We’ve long known that Russia isn’t a reliable supplier of energy anymore.” 

“With today’s decision, we’re ensuring that Germany is supplied with oil in the medium- and long-term as well,” Scholz said. “That is particularly true for the Schwedt refinery.” 

The facility provides petroleum products to much of northeastern Germany, including Berlin. 

Rosneft accounts for about 12% of Germany’s oil refining capacity, importing oil worth several hundred million dollars every month, the ministry said. 

Scholz said a $1 billion package would secure jobs for about 1,200 people currently working at the PCK refinery in Schwedt and help with its long-term transformation as part of the transition toward a green economy.