Gazprombank brought the 46 percent stake in Eriell in December 2011, but the information emerged only on Tuesday with the publication of the bank’s annual report. Founded in 1999, Eriell provides oil and gas exploration and drilling support services, predominantly to clients operating in the former Soviet Union.

Lukoil boss Vagit Alekperov says the oil company’s lack of refining facilities in the Czech Republic is preventing its further expansion here. Nevertheless, he says acquisition of a stake in a Czech refinery is not high on the agenda; Lukoil’s top priority in Europe now is to optimize production at refining facilities it already owns, consolidation in Italy and Croatia — and expansion in Spain.

Czech petrochemicals firm Unipetrol, the majority shareholder in top Czech oil refiner Česká rafinérská, confirmed in its 2010 annual report published Thursday that it is ready to increase its 51.22 stake in the joint venture, if either Eni International or the Shell Overseas Investments are willing to sell their minority stakes. But it may have to outbid Russian giant Gazprom.