Russia's oil giant OAO NK LUKOIL has put in operation today, Oct. 28, the upgraded Petrotel-LUKOIL refinery, Romania, LUKOIL said.

LUKOIL has invested $120.7 mln to renew production facilities of such enterprise.

As a result, oil depth processing widened from 87.9% to 94.8%. Overall refining will reach 2.4 mln tons a year. Light petroleum product share will increase from 73.3% to 81.7% to nearly 2 mln tons. In 2005, the enterprise will completely shift to production of the light petroleum product under the Euro-3 and Euro-4 standards.

Contaminating agent emission slid 50%. Over $6 mln were invested in the environmental aspects of renewal program.

According to LUKOIL, it acquired 51% stocks of Petrotel for $53.2 mln in Feb. of 1998. At present LUKOIL owns 93% Petrotel. The company has invested $285 mln to promote sales infrastructure of Rumania. 257 filling stations and 10 petroleum storage depots are operating under LUKOIL brand in Romania today.