US extends deadline for buyers of Lukoil foreign assets until November 21

MOSCOW, Oct 22 (Reuters) - The US has extended the deadline for companies to negotiate with Russian oil major Lukoil LKOH.MM about buying its foreign assets until November 21, according to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The deadline was extended after the US private equity firm Carlyle Group dropped its bid earlier this month.

Washington imposed sanctions in October 2025 on Lukoil, Russia's second-largest oil producer, and Rosneft ROSN.MM, its top producer, to reduce Moscow's ability to pay for its military campaign in Ukraine.

Lukoil's assets were put up for sale last year, while Rosneft has not announced any divestments.

Carlyle had initially agreed on January 29 to buy Lukoil's assets, excluding those in Kazakhstan.

The fund was in talks to partner with Abu Dhabi-based funds Mubadala, XRG and IHC, as well as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation for the deal, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Lukoil portfolio, initially valued at around $22 billion, had attracted interest from at least a dozen companies including Exxon Mobil XOM.N and the former owner of Pornhub, Bernd Bergmair.