Russian firm Lukoil makes donation to help fight Covid-19

Russian energy company Lukoil has announced that it has donated more than RUB652m ($9.3m) in 22 regions in the country to support Covid-19 response efforts.

The aid was primarily used to acquire medical equipment and upgrade health centres.

Lukoil has also donated $900,000 to other operating countries to treat patients and restrict the spread of the disease.

Lukoil president Vagit Alekperov said: “While continuing aiding the regions under the traditional Social Partnership Agreements, the company currently also lends targeted assistance to fight Covid-19.

“We maintain constant communication with the authorities of almost all the regions of our operation and react quickly and efficiently to the needs that rise from containing the coronavirus infection.”

The company said that it fuels ambulances and public hospital vehicles, as well as the cars of volunteers free of charge in six Russian regions.

It made donations in 15 foreign countries and supports the work of medical science institutions that are in the process of developing a vaccine against Covid-19 in Russia and other foreign countries.

In March last year, Lukoil reportedly planned to invest more than $60m over the next three years in its ISAB refinery on the Italian island of Sicily, as part of its modernisation plans.

In September 2018, Lukoil Mid-East awarded a framework agreement to engineering firm SNC-Lavalin for the provision of project support services for the second phase of the West Qurna oilfield in Iraq.