SOFIA, Nov 10 (Reuters) -

Bulgarian authorities are conducting inspections and

implementing security measures at Russian oil major Lukoil's

Burgas oil refinery to preserve critical infrastructure, Prime

Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Monday, as the government

prepares to seize control of the site.

Last week, Bulgaria adopted legal changes allowing it to

take over the refinery and sell it to a new owner to shield the

plant from U.S. sanctions.

Zhelyazkov said on Monday that the measures, which include

inspections and readying military police, are preventive and

aimed at preserving critical infrastructure, including the oil

refinery and other facilities, according to a press statement

issued Monday.

On Sunday the Council of Ministers issued a statement saying

that state security agency, the ministry of interior and the

ministry of defence have taken additional measures to ensure

security "in the area of Lukoil's sites - elements of

the critical infrastructure on the territory of Bulgaria."

"The Ministry of Defence has redeployed an anti-drone system

in the region of Burgas," the statement said. "An inspection is

carried out to verify compliance with the plan and security

measures at strategic facilities."

It said that "military police teams are also on standby and

ready to assist the ministry of interior."

Bulgaria's Nova TV reported that entering vehicles are

strictly checked, including for explosive devices.

Under the new law, a special manager could be appointed to

oversee the sale of the Burgas refinery. Lukoil, the current

owner, would have no right to vote on or appeal the decision.

The U.S. and Britain last month imposed sanctions on Lukoil

and Rosneft - Russia's two biggest oil companies -

over Moscow's war in Ukraine, complicating how they carry out

their operations.