View source for OMV

{{Short description|Austrian petrochemical company}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = OMV Aktiengesellschaft
| former_name = Österreichische Mineralölverwaltung Aktiengesellschaft (1956–1995)
| logo = OMV Logo 2024.svg
| logo_size = 160px
| logo_caption = OMV's logo since June 2024
| type = [[Aktiengesellschaft]]
| traded_as = {{WBAG|OMV}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1956|7|3|df=y}}
| location = [[Vienna, Austria]]
| key_people = Alfred Stern (CEO)
| industry = Oil, gas, petrochemistry and recycling
| products = [[Petroleum|Oil and gas]] [[Hydrocarbon exploration|exploration]] and [[Extraction of petroleum|production]], [[natural gas]] trading and transportation, [[Oil refinery|oil refining]], [[petrochemicals]], circular polyolefin solutions, plastics recycling
| services = [[Filling station|Fuel stations]]
| revenue = {{€|33.981 billion|linkk=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Geschäftsbericht 2024 (Annual report) |url=https://reports.omv.com/en/annual-report/2024/|access-date=6 April 2025}}</ref> (2024)
| operating_income = €4.254 billion (2024)
| net_income = €2.024 billion (2024)
| assets = €48.813 billion (2024)
| num_employees = 23,557 (2024)
| owner = [[Politics of Austria|Government of Austria]] 31.5%
ADNOC 24.9%
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.omv.com/en|OMV.com}}
}}
'''OMV''', formerly an abbreviation for '''Österreichische Mineralölverwaltung Aktiengesellschaft''' ({{langx|en|Austrian Mineral Oil Administration Stock Company}}), is an integrated company with three robust pillars: Chemicals, Fuels & Feedstock, and Energy. It supports the transition to a lower-carbon economy and has the ambition to become a net zero emissions business by 2050 for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The majority of its nearly 24,000 employees work at its integrated European sites. In 2024, the company is listed on the [[Wiener Börse|Vienna Stock Exchange]]. In the 2021 [[Forbes Global 2000|''Forbes'' Global 2000]], OMV Group was ranked as the 413th largest public company in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forbes Global 2000 | website =[[Forbes]] | url  =https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/#11acb1175ac0 |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:OMV Vienna.jpg|thumb|The OMV head office in the Hoch Zwei skyscraper in [[Vienna]]]]

The history of OMV began on 3 July 1956, when the company then known as "Österreichische Mineralölverwaltungs Aktiengesellschaft" was officially entered into the commercial register.<ref>[http://blog.omv.com/en/60-years-still-going-strong-omvs-moving-history/ 60 years and still going strong: OMV's moving history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021074818/http://blog.omv.com/en/60-years-still-going-strong-omvs-moving-history/ |date=2017-10-21 }} Retrieved on July 4, 2016.</ref> Consequently, the Soviet Mineral Oil Administration (''Sowjetische Mineralölverwaltung'', SMV), a [[Administration for Soviet Property in Austria|corporation]] formed during the [[Allied-occupied Austria|Soviet zone of occupation]] in post-war Austria became "Österreichische Mineralölverwaltungs Aktiengesellschaft".

Four years later, in 1960, the company opened the [[Schwechat]] refinery near Vienna,<ref name="omv.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.omv.com/en/blog/schwechat-refinery-60-years-old-and-still-not-even-close-to-retirement |title=Schwechat Refinery: 60 years old and still not even close to retirement |access-date=2021-05-12 |archive-date=2023-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718115759/https://www.omv.com/en/blog/schwechat-refinery-60-years-old-and-still-not-even-close-to-retirement |url-status=dead }}</ref> in 1968 the first natural gas supply contract with the former [[USSR]] were entered.<ref name=history>{{cite web
| publisher=OMV
| url=http://www.omv.com/history
| title=OMV History
| access-date=31 March 2014
| archive-date=18 August 2016
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818130352/http://www.omv.com/history/
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>
At the end of 1987, 15% of OMV was privatized, making it the first public listing of a state-owned company in Austria.<ref name="omv.com"/> In 1990 the company opened its first [[filling station]] in Vienna on 26 June.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.omv.com/en/blog/30-years-of-omv-filling-stations |title=30 years of OMV filling stations |access-date=2021-05-12 |archive-date=2023-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718115729/https://www.omv.com/en/blog/30-years-of-omv-filling-stations |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 1998, OMV acquired a 25% stake in the plastics group, [[Borealis AG|Borealis]].

The [[International Petroleum Investment Company]] (IPIC) of [[Abu Dhabi]] acquired an initial 19.6% interest in the group at the end of 1994. The following year, the group changed its name from "ÖMV" to "OMV" because the [[umlaut (diacritic)|umlaut]] on the "Ö" is not commonly used in many languages.

In the early 2000s, OMV expanded into Eastern Europe, by acquiring around 10% of Hungarian oil company, [[MOL Group|MOL]] and in 2003 it acquired the upstream division of Germany's Preussag Energie, expanding its filling station networks.

[[File:OMV Oil refinery in Schwechat, Austria.jpg|thumb|right|OMV [[oil refinery]] in Schwechat (near Vienna)]]
[[File:St. Valentin - Tanklager (b).JPG|thumb|OMV tank farm in [[St. Valentin]]]]

In 2004, OMV became the market leader in [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]] following the acquisition of 51% of Romanian oil and gas group [[Petrom]] which then constituted the largest acquisition in OMV's history.
In the same year, OMV increased its share capital, meaning that more than 50% of the company's shares were in free float for the first time. Following the sale of 50% of the subsidiary company Agrolinz Melamine International GmbH to [[International Petroleum Investment Company|IPIC]] in 2005, the [[Borealis AG|Borealis]] group was taken over in full together with IPIC.

In 2006, OMV acquired a 34% stake in a Turkish oil company [[Petrol Ofisi]]. In the same year, the board members of OMV and Verbund, the Austrian utility group announced plans for a merger. However, this collapsed due to resistance from Austrian MPs.

OMV increased its stake in Hungarian oil group MOL to 20.2% in 2007. OMV then sold its entire stake in March 2009 after MOL rejected a takeover bid in 2008 and the European Commission imposed tough restrictions for an approval of the deal. In late 2011, OMV acquired the stake held by [[Dogan Holding]] in [[Petrol Ofisi]], which further increased its stake in the company to 95.75%.

In 2012, the Domino-1 well in the Romanian Black Sea exploration license Neptun was the most significant discovery in that year, which has the potential to be OMV's most important gas discovery ever.<ref>[http://www.omv.com/portal/generic-list/display?lang=en&contentId=125573839297162 OMV Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418162435/http://www.omv.com/portal/generic-list/display?lang=en&contentId=125573839297162 |date=2017-04-18 }} ExxonMobil / OMV Petrom: Deepwater gas discovery offshore Romania. Retrieved on April 7, 2017.</ref>

On 31 October 2013, the acquisition deal with Norwegian [[Statoil]] containing participations in oil and gas fields and in development projects in Norway and the UK was closed. With US$2.65 billion, this then was the largest transaction in OMV's history.<ref>[http://www.omv.com/portal/generic-list/display?lang=en&contentId=1255755909135161 OMV Press Release] OMV closes acquisition deal with Statoil. Retrieved on April 7, 2017.</ref>

A divestment agreement for the 45% stake in Bayernoil was signed in December 2013. The sale was closed in June 2014.<ref>[http://www.omv.com/portal/generic-list/display?lang=en&contentId=1255756823756161 OMV Press Release] OMV: Downstream restructuring on track. Retrieved on April 7, 2017.</ref>

In 2015 OMV increased its interest in Petrol Ofisi to 100%.<ref>[http://www.omv.com/SecurityServlet/secure?cid=1255769898132&lang=en&swa_site=&swa_nav=&swa_pid=&swa_lang= OMV Annual Report 2015] Accounting principles and policies, p. 66. Retrieved 7 April 2017.</ref> Two years later, in 2017, OMV sold Petrol Ofisi to [[Vitol Group]]<ref>[http://www.omv.com/portal/generic-list/display?lang=en&contentId=125577438829541 OMV Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418164655/http://www.omv.com/portal/generic-list/display?lang=en&contentId=125577438829541 |date=2017-04-18 }} OMV divests wholly owned subsidiary OMV Petrol Ofisi to Vitol Group. Retrieved on April 7, 2017.</ref>

In 2017, OMV – together with [[ENGIE]], Shell, [[Uniper]] and [[Wintershall]] – signed financing agreements with Nord Stream 2 AG to build the 1,200&nbsp;km Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
In September 2018, OMV became the only Austrian company listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/omv-included-in-the-dow-jones-sustainability-index OMV included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Retrieved on Jan. 08, 2021]</ref>

In January 2019, OMV took a stake of 50% in the joint venture "SapuraOMV Upstream Sdn. Bhd.", a leading oil and gas company in Malaysia.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/190201_omv_and_sapura_energy_close_agreement OMV and Sapura Energy close agreement to form new partnership]. Retrieved on Jan. 08, 2021</ref>

In January 2019, OMV signed an agreement to acquire a 15% stake in ADNOC Refining ([[Abu Dhabi National Oil Company]]) in Abu Dhabi.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/190127-omv-establishes-major-downstream-oil-position-in-abu-dhabi OMV establishes major Downstream Oil position in Abu Dhabi. Retrieved on Jan. 08, 2021]</ref>

In March 2020, OMV increased its holding in Borealis to 75%, thereby transforming OMV from a pure oil and gas company into a gas, oil and chemicals group. 
At the end of 2020, OMV started up Austria's then largest photovoltaic plant with 11.4 [[MWp]] in [[Schönkirchen-Reyersdorf|Schönkirchen]] (Lower Austria).<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/200312-omv-signs-agreement-to-increase-its-shareholding-in-borealis-to-75percent-repositioning-in-a-low-carbon-world OMV signs agreement to increase its shareholding in Borealis to 75%. Retrieved on Jan. 08, 2021]</ref><ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/201203-omv-and-verbund-start-up-austria-s-largest-photovoltaic-plant Photovoltaic plant in Schönkirchen (Lower Austria) | Retrieved on May. 13, 2021]</ref>

On 31 May 2021, OMV and [[Verbund]] close purchase of 51% interest in Gas Connect Austria.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/omv-and-verbund-close-purchase-of-51-percent-interest-in-gas-connect-austria Verbund purchase of 51% interest in Gas Connect Austria Retrieved on May. 13, 2021]</ref> On 1 June OMV appoints Alfred Stern as new CEO.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/210601-omv-appoints-alfred-stern-as-new-ceo Alfred Stern as new CEO Retrieved on May. 13, 2021]</ref> On 8 June OMV and MOL Group reach agreement for MOL Group to acquire OMV Slovenia.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/news/210608-omv-and-mol-group-reach-agreement-for-mol-group-to-acquire-omv-slovenia MOL Group reach agreement to acquire OMV Slovenia | Retrieved on May. 13, 2021]</ref>

On 5 March 2022, OMV announced that it would no longer pursue investment in Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=OMV no longer pursues investments in Russia |url=https://www.omv.com/en/news/220305-omv-no-longer-pursues-investments-in-russia |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=www.omv.com |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2022, it was announced the state-owned, [[Abu Dhabi National Oil Company|Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)]], has acquired a 24.9% stake in OMV from Mubadala Petroleum and Petrochemicals Holding Company.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://orf.at/stories/3323643/ | title=Kontrolle von OMV durch ÖBAG und ADNOC genehmigt | date=12 July 2023 }}</ref>

In September 2023, OMV is rolling out a comprehensive network of e-charging stations under the brand name eMotion. The implementation includes the installation of 2,000 charging points by 2030 in Austria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/media/press-releases/2023/230908-world-ev-day-omv-rolls-out-emotion-brand-for-ultra-fast-charging-in-electromobility- eMotion launch | Retrieved on April. 09, 2025]</ref>

In November 2023, Wien Energie and OMV established a joint venture for deep geothermal energy. In a joint venture called “deeep”, the two companies are working closely together to make deep geothermal energy a reality in the greater Vienna area. They want to develop deep geothermal plants with output of up to 200 megawatts, thereby generating climate-neutral district heating for the equivalent of up to 200,000 Viennese households. The partners are also planning to implement up to seven deep geothermal plants in Vienna as part of drilling programs.  <ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/media/press-releases/2023/231106-climate-neutral-district-heating-wien-energie-and-omv-establish-joint-venture-for-deep-geothermal-energy Project deep | Retrieved on April. 06, 2025]</ref>

In December 2023 a Russian presidential decree gave the government the power to confiscate and forcibly sell off assets belonging to European energy firms including shares in the [[Yuzhno-Russkoye field|Yuzhno-Russkoye oil and gas field]], currently owned by OMV and [[Wintershall Dea]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia to seize energy assets from 'unfriendly' European countries |url=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/2023/12/20/russia-to-seize-energy-assets-from-unfriendly-european-countries-ee-00132648 |date=20 December 2023}}</ref>

In December 2024, OMV AG announced the closing of a transaction with TotalEnergies, for the sale of its 50 percent stake in the Malaysian SapuraOMV Upstream Sdn Bhd. The overall cash consideration is USD 957 million.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/media/press-releases/2024/omv-closes-divestment-of-50percent-share-in-sapuraomv-to-totalenergiesenergy SapuraOMV Divestment| Retrieved on April. 06, 2025]</ref>

In December 2024, OMV announced the termination of its long-term natural gas supply contract with Gazprom Export in reference to multiple fundamental breaches of contractual obligations by Gazprom Export.<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/media/press-releases/2024/241211-omv-announces-termination-of-austrian-supply-contract-with-gazprom-export-with-immediate-effect Gazprom Contract Termination| Retrieved on April. 06, 2025]</ref>

In March 2025, OMV and ADNOC have agreed on the key commercial terms for a combination of their polyolefins businesses. The agreement foresees a combination of Borealis and Borouge under a new, jointly controlled joint venture company. The new company shall be a joint platform for OMV and ADNOC for potential growth acquisitions in the polyolefins sector and it is envisaged to be named Borouge Group International. OMV and ADNOC have also agreed on the key terms and conditions for a purchase by the joint venture company of all shares in NOVA Chemicals for a purchase price of USD 9.377 bn from Nova Chemicals Holding GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company PJSC, pursuant to a purchase agreement agreed between Mubadala and ADNOC which shall be entered into by ADNOC as purchaser and, subject to certain regulatory and other conditions being met, be novated to a subsidiary of the joint venture company, resulting in the subsequent acquisition of NOVA Chemicals by the joint venture company. OMV and ADNOC shall have equal shareholdings and joint control in such joint venture company. It is envisaged that OMV makes a capital injection into the joint venture company in the amount of EUR 1.608 bn (determined as of the reference date 1 January 2025), to be reduced by dividends paid out until completion of the transaction (currently expected for 2026).<ref>[https://www.omv.com/en/media/press-releases/2025/omv-reaches-agreement-with-adnoc-on-key-commercial-terms-for-a-combination-of-borealis-borouge-and-nova Borealis Borouge| Retrieved on April. 06, 2025]</ref>
==Finance information==

===Shareholder structure 2023===
*[[Österreichische Industrieholding|ÖBAG]] (31.5%)
*ADNOC (24.9%)
*Institutional Investors (25.7%)
*Unidentified free float (4.0%)
*Retail positions and miscellaneous (13.8%)
*Treasury Shares and LTIP shares (0.2%)

===Shareholdings===
The most important shareholdings of OMV Aktiengesellschaft are listed below, with other shareholdings held by the appropriate business segments:<ref name=ar2022>[https://reports.omv.com/en/annual-report/2022/servicepages/downloads/files/entire-omv-ar22.pdf= OMV Annual Report 2022] Retrieved on August 18, 2023</ref>
* Borealis AG (75%)
* OMV Petrom SA (51%)
* ADNOC Refining and ADNOC Global Trading (15%)

==Business segments==

===Chemicals & Materials===
In Chemicals, OMV is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions, with total polyolefin sales of 6.3 mn t in 2024 (2023: 5.7 mn t). It is also a European market leader in base chemicals and plastics recycling. The Company supplies services and products to customers worldwide through OMV and Borealis, and its two joint ventures: Borouge (with ADNOC, based in the UAE) and Baystar™ (with TotalEnergies, based in the US). With operations in over 120 countries, it offers value-adding, innovative, and circular material solutions for key industries in its five industry clusters: Consumer Products, Energy, Health care, Infrastructure, and Mobility <ref name="omv-annual-report-2024">[https://reports.omv.com/en/annual-report/2024/directors-report-management-review/company/about-omv.html Annual Report 24 | Retrieved on April 06, 2025]</ref>

===Fuels & Feedstock===
In Fuels & Feedstock (F&F), OMV operates three refineries in Europe: Schwechat (Austria) and Burghausen (Germany), both of which feature integrated petrochemical production, and the Petrobrazi refinery (Romania). In addition, OMV holds a 15% share in ADNOC Refining and ADNOC Global Trading in the UAE. OMV’s total global processing capacity amounts to around 500 kbbl/d. Fuels and other sales volumes in Europe totaled 16.2 mn t in 2024 (2023: 16.3 mn t) and the retail network consisted of 1,702 filling stations (2023: 1,666) in eight European countries at the end of 2024. F&F is expanding its renewable fuels and sustainable chemical feedstocks offerings while also growing its network of EV charging solutions <ref name="omv-annual-report-2024"/>

===Energy===
In Energy, OMV explores, develops, and produces crude oil and natural gas with a focus on its three core regions of North, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and South. Activities also include the Low Carbon Business and the entire gas business. Daily hydrocarbon production was 340 kboe/d in 2024 (2023: 364 kboe/d), with a slightly higher share of liquids than natural gas production. OMV’s Gas Marketing & Power business markets and trades natural gas and power in several European countries and includes the LNG business. Furthermore, it holds a 65% stake in the Central European Gas Hub (CEGH) and operates natural gas storage facilities with a capacity of around 30 TWh in Austria and Germany, as well as a gas-fired power plant in Romania. The Low Carbon Business focuses on more sustainable energy sources from geothermal energy and renewable electricity, primarily in Romania, and is venturing into [[Carbon capture and storage|Carbon Capture and Storage]] (CCS).<ref name="omv-annual-report-2024"/>

==Controversies==

===War crimes in Sudan===
In June 2010, the European Coalition on Oil in Sudan (ECOS)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ecosonline.org/ |publisher=European Coalition on Oil in Sudan |title=ECOS Database |access-date=2019-06-28 |archive-date=2025-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418104312/https://www.ecosonline.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> published the report "Unpaid Debt",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unpaiddebt.org/unpaid-debt-report |publisher=European Coalition on Oil in Sudan |access-date=28 June 2019 |title=Unpaid Debt, The legacy of Lundin, Petronas, and OMV in Block 5A, Sudan, 1997-2003}}</ref> that called upon the governments of Sweden, Austria, and Malaysia to look into allegations [[Lundin Petroleum]] (as operator), OMV and [[Petronas]] may have been complicit in the commission of [[war crimes]] and [[crimes against humanity]] whilst operating in [[Block 5A, South Sudan]] (then [[Sudan]]), during the period of 1997 to 2003. The reported crimes include indiscriminate attacks and intentional targeting of civilians, burning of shelters, pillage, destruction of objects necessary for survival, unlawful killing of civilians, rape of women, abduction of children, torture, and forced displacement by government troops. When the consortium that OMV took part in operated in Block 5A, approximately 12.000 people died and 160.000 were violently displaced by government troops from their land and homes, many forever. Satellite pictures taken between 1994 and 2003 show that the activities coincided with a spectacular drop in agricultural land use in its concession area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecosonline.org/reports/2009/Satellite_mapping_Block5a_small.pdf |publisher=Prins Engineering |date=30 August 2009 |title=Satellite mapping Block 5A |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref>

In June 2010, the Swedish public prosecutor for international crimes opened a criminal investigation into links between Sweden and the reported crimes. In 2016, Lundin Petroleum's Chairman Ian Lundin and CEO Alex Schneiter (as operator) were informed that they were the suspects of the investigation. Sweden's Government gave the green light for the Public Prosecutor in October 2018 to indict the two top executives<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/reparations/39348-lundin-faces-prosecution-for-sudan-oil-war-abuses.html |title=Lundin faces prosecution for Sudan oil war abuses |publisher=Justice Info |date=23 October 2018 |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> On 1 November 2018, the Swedish Prosecution Authority notified Lundin Petroleum AB that the company may be liable to a corporate fine and forfeiture of economic benefits of SEK 3,285 (app. €315 million) for involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lundin-petroleum.com/download/lundin-petroleum-receives-information-regarding-a-potential-corporate-fine-and-forfeiture-of-economic-benefits-in-relation-to-past-operations-in-sudan/?wpdmdl=14539/ |publisher=Lundin Petroleum website |title=Regulatory disclosure |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119011030/https://www.lundin-petroleum.com/download/lundin-petroleum-receives-information-regarding-a-potential-corporate-fine-and-forfeiture-of-economic-benefits-in-relation-to-past-operations-in-sudan/?wpdmdl=14539/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Consequently, the company itself would also be charged, albeit indirectly, and will be legally represented in court. On 15 November 2018 the suspects were served with the draft charges and the case files.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unpaiddebt.org/lundin-petroleum-receives-indictment.html |title=Lundin Petroleum Receives Final Notice before Indictment |access-date=29 June 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> They would be indicted for aiding and abetting [[Transnational crime|international crimes]] and may face life imprisonment if found guilty.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/stream/48c2d29d-b0ea-4de1-81ae-7db98cef0bcf |title=Swedish oil bosses set to be charged on South Sudan |publisher=Financial Times |date=18 October 2018}}</ref> The trial is likely to open early in 2022 and may take two years.

The Swedish war crimes investigation raises the issue of access to remedy and reparation for victims of human rights violations linked with business activities. In May 2016, representatives of communities in Block 5A claimed their right to remedy and reparation and called upon OMV, Lundin Petroleum and Petronas and their shareholders to pay off their debt to them.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unpaiddebt.org/remedy-claim/ |publisher=Unpaid Debt |title=Victim's Remedy Claim |access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref> A conviction in Sweden may provide some level of remedy and reparation for the few victims of human rights violations who will testify in court, but not for the other 200,000 victims who will not be represented in court. The Swedish court cannot impose obligations upon OMV.

On 23 May 2019, the T.M.C. Asser Institute for International Law in The Hague organized the conference 'Towards criminal liability of corporations for human rights violations: The Lundin case in Sweden'.

OMV endorses the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, acknowledging the duty of business enterprises to contribute to effective remedy of adverse impact that it has caused or contributed to.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.omv.com/pbd_download/990/980/2017-05_OMV_Sustainability_Report_2016_EN.pdf |title=OMV Sustainability Report 2017 |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> The company has never publicly showed an interest in the adverse impacts of its activities on the communities in its concession area. According to the Dutch peace organisation PAX, the companies OMV, Lundin Petroleum, Petronas, as well as their shareholders are disregarding the human rights standards that they claim to respect, notably the OECD Guidelines and UN Guiding Principles, because they,
''A''. never conducted an appropriate due diligence for their Sudanese operations;
''B''. made no effort to know their human rights impacts; and
''C''. do not show how they address alleged adverse human rights impacts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unpaiddebt.org/consortium/ |publisher=PAX |title=How Lundin, OMV, and Petronas do not respect human rights}}</ref>

OMV (Sudan) Exploration GmbH was a wholly owned subsidiary of OMV AG, and held a 26.1% share in the a license as part of the consortium that appointed Lundin as operator to explore and develop oil deposits in Block 5A. It sold its Sudanese assets in 2004 with a net profit of $55 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omv.com/pbd_download/921/653/IR_AR_OMV_Konzern_2004_E,0.pdf |title=OMV on the move in 2004: Annual Report |access-date= 28 June 2019}}</ref> As the operator of the consortium, Lundin Petroleum was responsible for day-to-day management but its managers stood under the supervision of the Operating Committee, that exercised "overall direction and control of all matters pertaining to the Joint Operations and the Joint Property". OMV was permanently represented in the Operating Committee and has never publicly distanced itself from any of its decisions.<ref>Joint Operating Agreement between IPC Sudan Limited and Petronas Carigali Overseasn Sdn Bhd and OMV (SUDAN) Exploration GmbH and Sudapet Ltd. SUDAN BLOCK 5A, 7 April 1999.</ref>

Between 2001 and 2003, OMV met repeatedly with European human rights advocates led by Sudan Platform Austria, but the company took no effective measures to prevent involvement in human rights violations or undo the adverse impact of Lundin's operations. On 6 April 2001, OMV wrote to [[Human Rights Watch]]: "We have reached the conclusion that, despite problems, the influx of oil revenues could improve the social and humanitarian conditions of the Sudanese. [[Oil exploration]] activities also represent immediate benefits to the local population, in terms of employment, infrastructure developments and humanitarian assistance... Our role is to constantly monitor the situation on the ground and to turn our perception of business ethics into reality by responsible action.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2003/sudan1103/27.htm |title=OMV (Sudan): Excited about Thar Jath Discoveries |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=28 June 2019}}</ref> In 2002, OMV nevertheless commissioned an independent report on the human rights situation in [[Block 5A]], that has not been made public.<ref>Louis Charbonneau, "OMV studying human rights situation in Sudan," Reuters, Vienna, July 11, 2002.</ref>

While Block 5A was operated by Lundin, OMV was a participant in the consortium, the suspicions against the consortium's top managers therefore also concern OMV. The Austrian State's owns 31% of OMV's shares. According to the UN Guiding Principles, which is endorsed by Austria, an abuse of human rights by a business enterprise that is wholly or partially controlled by a State, may entail a violation of that State's own international law obligations.<ref>UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, p. 7.</ref>

===Petrom===
The acquisition of 51% stake in [[Petrom]] was considered controversial as the privatisation contract was not made public and it consists of several disputed clauses.

The privatisation allegedly produced a market monopoly. Critics say that OMV can use the resources Petrom owns until their exhaustion. Also fixing of tax for gas and oil exploration at 3 to 13.5 percent from the final delivery price for 10 years was criticised. Some critics claimed, that the price €1.5&nbsp;billion was too low.

On 13 December 2022, OMV Petrom was convicted by the Couter of Justice from Gaiesti, Romania of Involuntary manslaughter case. The Local Court Gaiesti ruled its decision in the file where OMV Petrom SA was sent to trial for involuntary manslaughter. The accusation is referring to an incident which occurred in Cobia in 2016 and resulted in the death of a child.
OMV Petrom was found guilty and was convicted to a punishment of a criminal fine amounting to RON 28,000. On the civil side, the court assessed the degree of fault of OMV Petrom SA at 50% and the company was obliged to pay moral damages in total amount of EUR 135,000 to the victim's family and material damages and other expenses in total amount of RON 22,000. The court ordered the complementary measure consisting in the one-year suspension of the activity of oil exploitation wells within the radius of Dâmboviţa county which, at the date when the decision becomes final, do not have a completely closed and locked perimeter or which do no have a well cellar grate installed. The court also ordered the publication of the decision of conviction, in extract. .<ref>{{cite news |title=Adhoc report - Involuntary manslaughter case – Local's Court Gaiesti {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|dec|ison}} |url=https://www.omvpetrom.com/en/news/adhoc-report-involuntary-manslaughter-case-local-s-court-gaiesti-decison |publisher=[[OMV Petrom]] |date=13 December 2022 |access-date=13 December 2022}}</ref>

===MOL===
In June 2007 OMV made an unsolicited [[bidding|bid]] to take over [[MOL Group|MOL]], which was rejected by the Hungarian company. MOL criticised OMV's advertisement in which OMV had suggested the two had already worked together on the European market. MOL thought that to be misleading and unethical and asked OMV to remove the name MOL from those advertisements. OMV dismissed its bid after negative results of the investigation by the European competition authorities.<ref name=realdeal>{{cite news
 | publisher= Realdeal.hu
 | url= http://www.realdeal.hu/20080807/european-commission-closes-door-on-omvmol-merger-plan
 | title= European Commission closes door on OMV-MOL merger plan
 | date= 7 August 2008
 | access-date= 7 December 2008
 | archive-date= 25 August 2008
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080825073856/http://www.realdeal.hu/20080807/european-commission-closes-door-on-omvmol-merger-plan
 | url-status= dead
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=OMV gets EU objections statement over MOL takeover bid |url=https://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/06/24/afx5146214.html |work=[[Forbes]] |date=24 June 2008|access-date=6 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604012531/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2008/06/24/afx5146214.html|archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref>
OMV sold its entire stake to [[Surgutneftegas]] in March 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=OMV sells MOL stake |url=http://www.oilvoice.com/n/OMV_Sells_its_212_Stake_in_MOL/ef801d0a.aspx |publisher=[[OilVoice]] |date=30 March 2009|access-date=30 March 2009}}</ref>

===New Zealand===
On 10 April 2019 OMV announced that it would drill up to ten wells off the [[Otago]], New Zealand coast.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gas and oil exploration move off Otago coast |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/gas-and-oil-exploration-move-otago-coast |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=10 April 2019 |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref> The decision was met with indications by local environmental groups, who had successfully fought previous attempts to drill for fossil fuels in the area, that OMV could "expect resistance".<ref>{{cite news |title='Expect resistance', oil company told |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/expect-resistance-oil-company-told |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=10 April 2019 |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref> In November 2019 an OMV supply vessel in [[Timaru]] was occupied for 57 hours by 27 protesters, and 16 people were arrested.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/117703680/more-protesters-removed-from-skandi-atlantic-in-timarus-port|title=Police arrest 16 people over occupation of offshore supply vessel in Timaru|last=Mohanlall|first=Samesh|date=26 November 2019|work=Timaru Herald|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref> In March 2020 two members of [[Extinction Rebellion]] [[Christchurch|Ōtautahi]] intercepted and boarded an OMV mobile drilling rig in the [[Marlborough Sounds]] from an inflatable boat, intending to occupy it for a week, but due to sickness of one of the protestors, the occupation was abandoned after 14 hours. The protestors came on board of the rig and were flown to [[New Plymouth]] and served with a trespass notice.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kenny|first=Lee|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119976414/christchurch-climate-campaigners-scale-100m-oil-rig-off-nz-coast|title=Christchurch climate campaigners scale 100m oil rig off NZ coast|date=3 March 2020|work=Stuff|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Kenny|first1=Lee|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119993022/omv-rig-protestors-to-be-taken-off-vessel-by-helicopter|title=Extinction Rebellion campaigners' daring oil rig protest thwarted after 14 hours|date=4 March 2020|work=Stuff|access-date=2020-03-11|last2=Watson|first2=Mike}}</ref><ref>[https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018737065 Protesters yet to be charged after boarding oil rig Retrieved on May. 13, 2021]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Austria|Energy|Companies}}
*[[Energy law#European Union|EU energy law]]
*[[List of petroleum companies]]
*[[Petrom|OMV Petrom]]
*[[Petrol Ofisi]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.omv.com}}
* [http://www.obib.co.at/ ÖBIB]
* [http://www.omvpetrom.com/ OMV Petrom]
* [http://www.borealisgroup.com/ Borealis]
* [http://www.gasconnect.at/ Gas Connect Austria]
* [http://www.cegh.at/ Central European Gas Hub]
*[https://www.wienerborse.at/en/market-data/shares-others/quote/?ISIN=AT0000743059&market=wbag&typo3=0&news=0&products=1&ID_NOTATION=92148 Vienna Stock Exchange: Market Data OMV AG]

{{ATX companies}}
{{DJSI World}}
{{Petroleum industry}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Oil and gas companies of Austria]]
[[Category:Companies based in Vienna]]
[[Category:Non-renewable resource companies established in 1956]]
[[Category:Austrian brands]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Wiener Börse]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies in the Austrian Traded Index]]
[[Category:Mubadala Investment Company]]
[[Category:Energy companies established in 1956]]
[[Category:Austrian companies established in 1956]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Austria]]