France remains the only definite expansion opportunity for Rompetrol's network of filling stations, with development plans in Ukraine and Serbia blocked, for the time being, because of the current high costs in Ukraine, and the unstable political situation in Serbia.
Over the coming three years, investments in network expansion in France could amount to around 115 million euros, with the main target being the acquisition of petrol stations located next to motorways. Rompetrol has been present on the French market since 2006, when it took over Dyneff, the largest independent distributor of petroleum products.
"In France, we intend to modernise the 30 stations that operate under the Rompetrol brand. The investment will amount to around 0.5 million euros for each unit. As for the remaining 200 stations, which operate as franchises, they will remain as they are. We do not intend to increase the number of franchised stations this year," says Eric Kish, senior vice-president of the retail division at Rompetrol.
The group intends to take part in all auctions to renew the licences of petrol stations located by the side of motorways in France. The Rompetrol representative says there will be 100 such auctions over the coming three years.
"We hope to win at least 20% of these auctions. The investment in a petrol station located by the side of the motorway amounts to around 5 million euros," says Kish, which would bring the overall investment in France to around 115 million euros.
At present, Rompetrol has two petrol stations that are situated by the side of a French motorway, which opened in May last year. According to Rompetrol's chairman, Dinu Patriciu, business on the French market will amount to 3.7 billion dollars this year, compared with 3 billion dollars in 2007.
However, the bulk of Rompetrol's business in France is not generated by p
