THE UKRAINIAN OIL & GAS ASSOCIATION AND THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC SECURITY SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION TO COMBAT THE SHADOW FUEL MARKET
The Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association (UOGA) and the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine have agreed to strengthen joint efforts aimed at countering the illegal circulation of fuel and the operation of unlawful filling stations.
These arrangements were formalised in a Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the President of the Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association, Yaroslav Starovoitenko, and the Director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi.
The Memorandum establishes a framework for systematic interaction between the Bureau of Economic Security and the Association. Key areas of cooperation include the exchange of open analytical information, the establishment of joint working and coordination groups, the implementation of legal and organisational measures, as well as joint analysis of compliance with legislation in the petroleum products market.
Particular attention will be given to the development of proposals for improving legislation and to the creation of transparent mechanisms for the responsible storage of seized fuel and lubricants.
Yaroslav Starovoitenko, President of the Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association, commented:
“The signing of this Memorandum represents an important step towards building a sustainable model of cooperation on the path to ensuring market transparency, a level playing field, and the gradual displacement of the illegal segment. For its part, the Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association will remain a reliable partner of the state.
It is important to emphasise that the fight against the illegal fuel market must be systematic, comprehensive and continuous. This is not solely about unlawful filling stations — we are addressing the entire chain of the shadow market, from illegal fuel production to financial manipulation and tax evasion. We expect that 2026 will become a significant milestone in overcoming this phenomenon as a systemic problem.”
For the Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association, the signing of the Memorandum is a continuation of many years of work aimed at de-shadowing the fuel market. UOGA consistently provides sectoral expertise and analytical data focused on identifying problematic facilities and shadow schemes that distort competition, damage the state budget and, as a consequence, reduce the resource capacity of the defence forces.
Further details on efforts to de-shadow the fuel and lubricants market are available at the following link:
https://esbu.gov.ua/diialnist/detinizatsiia-rynku/palyvno-mastylni-materialy
The Ukrainian Oil & Gas Association is an industry association representing the interests of the largest players in the oil and gas market. At present, its membership includes leading wholesale, retail, upstream and refining companies representing national and international, private and state-owned businesses. These include WOG, OKKO, AMIC Ukraine, SOCAR, KLO, UPG, Orlen, Parallel, Ukrgasvydobuvannia and Ukrnafta.The Association takes an active role in the development of the country’s legislative framework, the monitoring and resolution of sectoral challenges, and maintains close cooperation with public authorities, private and state-owned enterprises, industry and consumer associations, consulting agencies and the media. Its activities are aimed at the implementation and observance of European service quality standards in the market, as well as the protection of the interests of its members.
