Gruppo API
Italian petroleum and energy company operating refining, fuel distribution, mobility services, and related energy businesses through the IP brand.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Gruppo API is an Italian petroleum and energy company headquartered in Rome. Its roots date to 1933, when Ferdinando Peretti founded Anonima Petroli Italiana in Ancona. The company developed as an integrated oil business, coordinating crude-oil supply, refining, petroleum-product acquisition and transport, trading, logistics, fuel distribution, and the development of oil and gas assets. The group’s consumer-facing fuel and mobility activities are principally associated with the IP Gruppo API brand. IP, originally established in 1974 after Agip acquired Shell Italiana’s distribution activities, became part of API in 2005 when API acquired it from Eni for €189 million. After operating the API and IP networks in parallel for several years, the group progressively consolidated its service-station activities under the IP identity. In 2012, the network supplied approximately 4,200 stations and held about 11% of the Italian fuel market, according to the referenced company history. Gruppo API expanded substantially through acquisitions and network integration. In 2017, Total and Erg agreed to sell the Italian refining and fuel-marketing assets of TotalErg to API. The transaction was completed in 2018, excluding TotalErg’s Special Fluids division and its LPG subsidiary, which were transferred to other buyers. TotalErg’s service stations were subsequently converted to the IP brand. In 2019, TotalErg was merged into Anonima Petroli Italiana, and the legal company adopted the name Italiana Petroli. The group’s industrial base includes the API refinery in Ancona, interests connected with the Sarpom refinery in Trecate, and contracted refining activity at the Alma refinery in Ravenna. The Ancona refinery is described as having annual capacity of approximately 3.9 million tonnes, while the group’s broader refining network is reported at about 5.5 million tonnes per year. Gruppo API also supplies semi-finished petroleum products and crude-derived feedstocks to petrochemical customers, including businesses operating in rubber and related industries, serving both Italian and foreign markets. The company has also pursued energy-transition initiatives. From July 2021, renewable raw materials were incorporated into its refining process for the production of biofuels. In 2024, IP and Macquarie established IPlanet, a 50/50 joint venture focused on installing electric-vehicle charging infrastructure at service stations. These initiatives broaden the group’s role from conventional fuel distribution toward a wider mobility and energy-services model. Until 2025, Gruppo API was held through API Holding, which was wholly owned by the Brachetti Peretti family. In September 2025, the group was sold to SOCAR, the Azerbaijani petroleum company. The company’s leadership is identified in the referenced material as chairman Ugo Brachetti Peretti and chief executive Alberto Chiarini. Its activities remain centered on the Italian market, with refining, wholesale petroleum products, retail fuel, service stations, and mobility infrastructure forming the core of its business.
History
Gruppo API was founded in Ancona in 1933 by Ferdinando Peretti as Anonima Petroli Italiana. From its beginnings, the company operated across several parts of the petroleum chain. It coordinated crude-oil and semi-finished-product supply, acquired and transported finished products, traded crude and by-products, optimized logistics through exchanges with other oil companies, and supplied petroleum-derived materials to Italian and overseas customers. The group also developed interests in oil and gas properties and progressively established an industrial platform based on refining and distribution. A major step in the group’s retail development came in 2005, when API acquired Italiana Petroli, commonly known as IP, from Eni. IP had been created in Genoa in 1974 after Agip acquired Shell Italiana’s activities. The IP identity replaced Shell branding during 1975, accompanied by modernization of service stations and revisions to the product range. API initially operated its legacy network and the acquired IP network in parallel, but later decided to place its distributors under the IP brand. By 2012, the business supplied roughly 4,200 filling stations and held approximately 11% of Italy’s fuel market. API’s position in Italian fuel retail and refining strengthened again through the TotalErg transaction. In 2017, Total and Erg agreed to sell the relevant TotalErg assets to Anonima Petroli Italiana. The deal was completed in 2018, while the Special Fluids division and Totalgaz Italia were excluded and transferred to separate buyers. TotalErg’s stations were gradually rebranded as IP locations. The integration culminated in 2019, when TotalErg was merged into Anonima Petroli Italiana and the legal entity became Italiana Petroli. The group’s industrial activities include the API refinery at Ancona, which has reported capacity of approximately 3.9 million tonnes annually. Gruppo API also has a share of the Sarpom refinery at Trecate in the province of Novara and uses contracted capacity at the Alma refinery in Ravenna. Taken together, the group has described a refining network with capacity of about 5.5 million tonnes per year. Its revenues have historically come from two complementary areas: supplying semi-finished petroleum products and feedstocks to petrochemical industries, and operating the IP fuel-station network with products supplied by the group. The company began adapting its refining activities to the energy transition in July 2021 by introducing renewable raw materials into biofuel production. In 2024, IP and Macquarie created IPlanet, an equal joint venture intended to expand electric-vehicle charging at service stations. This complemented the group’s traditional fuel business with a direct role in charging infrastructure and broader mobility services. Ownership remained with the Brachetti Peretti family through API Holding until 2025. In September of that year, Gruppo API was sold to SOCAR, the Azerbaijani petroleum company. The referenced company profile identifies Ugo Brachetti Peretti as chairman and Alberto Chiarini as chief executive. The group’s principal identity continues to be that of an Italian integrated petroleum company, with the IP brand serving consumers through fuel stations and mobility locations while the wider organization manages refining, wholesale supply, logistics, trading, and related energy operations.
- 2025
SOCAR acquires Gruppo API
[1]SOCAR acquired the group from the Brachetti Peretti family’s holding structure in September 2025.
- 2024
IPlanet is created
[1]IP and Macquarie formed IPlanet, an equal joint venture for electric-vehicle charging installations at service stations.
- 2021
Renewable feedstocks enter refining operations
[1]The group began using renewable raw materials in its refining process to produce biofuels.
- 2019
Company becomes Italiana Petroli
[1]Following the merger of TotalErg into Anonima Petroli Italiana, the company adopted the legal name Italiana Petroli.
- 2018
TotalErg acquisition expands the group
[1]Gruppo API acquired TotalErg’s Italian refining and fuel-marketing assets, excluding businesses sold separately.
- 2012
IP network reaches approximately 4,200 stations
[1]API supplied roughly 4,200 filling stations under the IP network and held an estimated 11% share of the Italian fuel market.
- 2005
API acquires IP from Eni
[1]Anonima Petroli Italiana purchased Italiana Petroli from Eni for €189 million, with the transfer formalized in September.
- 1975
IP replaces Shell branding
[1]The Shell identity was progressively replaced at service stations by the IP brand, alongside station modernization and product-range changes.
- 1974
Italiana Petroli is established
[1]IP was established in Genoa after Agip’s acquisition of Shell Italiana’s activities, inheriting the former Shell distribution network.
- 1933
Anonima Petroli Italiana is founded
[1]Ferdinando Peretti founded Anonima Petroli Italiana in Ancona, establishing the business that later became Gruppo API.
Products and positioning
An integrated Italian oil and mobility-services group combining refining, wholesale petroleum supply, fuel retail, service-station operations, and emerging low-carbon mobility infrastructure.
Fuel retail and mobility services · 1974
IP Gruppo API
IP Gruppo API is the group’s principal consumer-facing brand. It operates a nationwide Italian service-station network offering automotive fuels and associated mobility services. The brand was used to unify API’s legacy stations, the IP network acquired from Eni, and the former TotalErg locations acquired in 2018. Its role has expanded toward electric-vehicle charging and broader service-station mobility infrastructure.
Petroleum refining
API Ancona Refinery
The Ancona refinery is Gruppo API’s principal identified refining asset. It processes crude and intermediate petroleum materials into refined products and feedstocks used by the group’s wholesale and retail businesses. The refinery is reported to have annual capacity of approximately 3.9 million tonnes and has also been used in the group’s development of biofuels incorporating renewable raw materials.
Wholesale energy products
Petroleum and petrochemical feedstocks
Gruppo API supplies semi-finished crude-oil products and related petroleum feedstocks to petrochemical customers, including companies in rubber and associated industries. These materials are sold in Italy and international markets. The business is supported by the group’s refining, crude trading, transport, storage, and distribution capabilities.
Renewable fuels · 2021
Biofuels
Beginning in July 2021, Gruppo API incorporated renewable raw materials into its refining process for biofuel production. This line represents an adaptation of the group’s conventional refining platform toward lower-carbon fuel products while remaining connected to its established petroleum-processing infrastructure.
Electric-vehicle charging · 2024
IPlanet
IPlanet is a 50/50 joint venture formed by IP and Macquarie in 2024. Its purpose is to install electric-vehicle charging stations at service stations, extending the IP network beyond liquid fuels and into electric mobility infrastructure.
Brand decisions
2025
Sell Gruppo API to SOCARM&ABackground
Until 2025, the group was held through API Holding, wholly owned by the Brachetti Peretti family.
Action taken
In September 2025, ownership of Gruppo API was transferred to SOCAR of Azerbaijan.
Aftermath
The transaction ended the group’s period of family ownership and placed the Italian petroleum and mobility business under SOCAR control.
2024
Create IPlanet for electric mobilityStrategyBackground
Electric-vehicle adoption created pressure for fuel retailers to add charging infrastructure and diversify station services.
Action taken
IP and Macquarie established IPlanet as a 50/50 joint venture to install charging stations at service stations.
Aftermath
The initiative positioned the IP network to participate in electric mobility alongside its established liquid-fuel operations.
2021
Introduce renewable raw materials into refiningStrategyBackground
The group began adapting its refining operations to support renewable and lower-carbon fuel production.
Action taken
From July 2021, renewable raw materials were incorporated into the refining process for biofuels.
Aftermath
The move broadened Gruppo API’s product base beyond conventional petroleum fuels.
2019
Consolidate the business under Italiana PetroliStrategyBackground
API had acquired TotalErg and was integrating the acquired refining and retail activities into its existing organization.
Action taken
TotalErg was merged into Anonima Petroli Italiana, which adopted the name Italiana Petroli.
Aftermath
The legal structure and brand architecture were simplified, while IP remained the principal fuel-retail identity.
2017
Purchase TotalErg assetsM&ABackground
Total and Erg decided to divest TotalErg’s Italian refining and fuel-marketing assets in a fragmented market where expected profitability had not been achieved.
Action taken
Gruppo API agreed to acquire the assets, with the transaction completed in 2018 and selected businesses excluded from the deal.
Aftermath
The former TotalErg stations were progressively converted to the IP brand, substantially increasing IP’s Italian retail footprint.
2005
Acquire Italiana Petroli from EniM&ABackground
API sought to expand its presence in Italian fuel distribution by purchasing the IP network from Eni.
Action taken
API acquired Italiana Petroli for €189 million, formalizing the transfer in September 2005.
Aftermath
The acquisition gave API control of the IP brand and created the basis for later consolidation of its service-station network under the IP identity.
Acquisition price. €189 million (2005)
Sources1 sources
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