Romania’s Petrotel Lukoil refinery, capable of processing 21% of the nation’s crude oil, remains shut down despite receiving a sanctions waiver from the United States. The refinery’s continued inactivity comes after the deadline for restarting operations has passed. Disagreement exists between the Romanian Ministry of Energy and the Russian-owned company’s management regarding the terms of the US waiver. Details surrounding the specific points of contention hindering an agreement have not been fully disclosed. The closure impacts Romania’s refining capacity and raises questions about energy security. Further negotiations or alternative solutions are needed to resume operations at the facility. The situation highlights the complexities of navigating international sanctions and maintaining energy supplies.