Energy Blast, Jan. 21, 2008
Carrying posters reading “Stop Soviet Imperialism” and “Putin – Out of Bulgaria,” hundreds of Bulgarians have protested against Russia’s energy policy, which they fear will make their country completely dependent on Russian oil and gas sources. Unified Energy System, which has until July 1 to sell all of its assets, has failed to auction off eight out of nine of its supply firms, casting doubt on its ambitious schedule of company sell-offs. Stocks in Lukoil, Surgutneftegaz and Gazprom Neft all fell after oil prices sank below $90 a barrel in New York for the first time this year.