NIS requests new special operating licence from US's OFAC

BELGRADE - The Serbian oil company NIS has submitted a request to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury for a new special licence that would enable it to continue to operate without obstructions after April 17, when the current operating licence expires.

Since October 9, 2025, NIS has been under US sanctions due to its Russian-majority ownership.

In a statement, NIS said the request represented a continuation of activities aimed at maintaining the stability of its operations in complex circumstances.

The request also notes the significance of normal NIS operations for Serbia's energy security, especially in light of notable challenges in the global oil market, as well as that a licence for the completion of talks on potential changes to the company's ownership structure had been extended until May 22, 2026.

Once again, NIS thanked all Serbian and international institutions for their support and for enabling the company's continued operations.