Nov 1, 2006, 10:58 GMT
Prague - Lukoil is a top candidate for a chain of petrol stations that could give Russia's largest energy group its first foothold in the Czech Republic consumer market, Czech media reported Wednesday.
Lukoil is interested in buying the 44 Jet stations across the country from its US strategic partner ConocoPhillips, the Czech financial web site Euro Online reported.
A Jet spokeswoman declined comment and referred reporters to a ConocoPhillips spokesman in Houston, who was not immediately available.
ConocoPhillips holds a 17 per cent stake in Lukoil. The two companies launched an alliance in 2004.
The owners of two, other Czech petrol chains - Austria's OMV and Poland's PKN Orlen - are also reportedly interested in the Jet stations.
Last month, Russian media reported that Lukoil wants to expand its relatively small refinery assets in the Czech Republic by buying the 16 per cent stake in Ceska Rafinerska now controlled by ConocoPhillips.
But any sale of Ceska Rafinerska stakes must be approved by the company's other stakeholders, which include Shell, Agip and PKN Orlen.
Russian media recently reported that Lukoil may invest 200 million dollars in the Czech Republic.
Jet stations also operate in Germany, Hungary, Poland and other countries.
Your Talkback on this Story