Support The Moscow Times!

BP Board Considering Rosneft Bid


A takeover of TNK-BP in its entirety would mean that Rosneft controls about half of the Russian oil industry. Maxim Stulov


BP's board on Friday will consider a bid by Rosneft to buy the British company's stake in TNK-BP, news reports said.



The cash and stock offer is worth more than $25 billion.



The board may have to reconvene for a more in-depth consideration of some aspects of the offer, a source said, Reuters reported. 



Rosneft has also reportedly made a $28 billion offer for the other half of TNK-BP, a stake held by four billionaires.



Both of the deals are subject to government approval at a time when Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is pushing for the state to cede its assets in privatization deals.



A takeover of TNK-BP in its entirety would, thus, require Rosneft to cough up more than $50 billion worth of cash and equity.



In that event, Rosneft would expand to control about half of the Russian oil industry. Rosneft is already the country's leading crude producer, while TNK-BP is the third-largest.



Gazprom Neft, another state-controlled oil company, is the industry's fifth-largest in Russia. It used to be a private company called Sibneft before Gazprom agreed to buy the asset.


Related articles:

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more