Yury Pervak, the CEO of Lukoil Chelyabnefteproduct, played a major role in the establishment.

In 2001 Lukoil became the champions of one of the zones in the amateur league (KFK) and were promoted to the Second Division.

In 2002 Lukoil finished third in the Ural zone of the Second Division.

In 2003 and 2004 they continued bidding for the championship, both times finishing as runners-up.

Exclusion of some clubs from the First Division opened the way up for Lukoil, and they accepted promotion, adopting the new name of Spartak.