The decision by the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf regarding the sale of Shell’s stake in the Schwedt refinery to Prax Group has major implications for the European energy landscape. Rosneft, one of the main shareholders of the refinery with 54.17% ownership, had filed a lawsuit to block the transaction. However, the court found that Rosneft’s arguments lacked legal basis.
Geopolitical Context of the Case
This case occurs amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has profoundly reshaped energy relations between Europe and Russia. In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany stripped Rosneft of control over its assets in the Schwedt refinery, a key facility for fuel supply to northeastern Germany, including the Berlin region. This move was part of Germany’s broader effort to reduce its dependency on Russian oil.
Rosneft’s Arguments
Rosneft argued that it had a right of first refusal on Shell’s shares, based on an agreement with the other shareholders of the refinery. The Russian company claimed that the sale to Prax Group would undermine its own future plans to divest its stake. However, the court pointed out that Rosneft had declined Shell’s offer in writing, which nullified its claims.
Consequences of the Decision
This dismissal of Rosneft’s lawsuit could have significant repercussions for its strategy in Germany, particularly regarding its ability to maintain its remaining assets in the country. Rosneft may need to enter negotiations to sell its remaining shares, an option already discussed with partners like Qatar, a major investor in Germany’s energy sector.
For its part, Shell continues to pursue its strategy of divesting non-core oil assets in favor of focusing on low-carbon projects and renewable energy. The choice of Prax Group as the buyer highlights the continued attractiveness of European oil infrastructure to private investors, despite the shift toward cleaner energy.
Legal Prospects
Rosneft has the option to appeal this decision to the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof). However, the strength of its case is weakened by the fact that it explicitly declined Shell’s initial offer. Therefore, the chances of success on appeal seem limited, though the final outcome remains uncertain.
This ruling by the Düsseldorf court is emblematic of the current geopolitical tensions and structural changes taking place in the European energy sector. The sanctions imposed on Russia and Germany’s efforts to secure its energy supply by diversifying its partners further complicate Rosneft’s position in Europe.
