Baku, Azerbaijan, March 3
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Dutch Gasunie gas company has expressed interest in obtaining a 32-percent stake in Greek DESFA natural gas grid operator, as a new tender will be announced on privatization of DESFA soon, Greek media reported.
Meanwhile, Gasunie seeks to acquire the management of the natural gas grid operator, according to the report.
Belgian Fluxys and Romanian Transgas also remain interested in acquiring a share in DESFA, while the participation of Italian Snam company in the new tender is not excluded either.
Earlier, Greek Εnergy and Environment Minister Giorgos Stathakis told Trend that the government opted for a clean start and will launch very soon a new tender process that will abide by the EU requirements and will set qualitative standards, such as investment plans and job creation, for the prospective buyers.
Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR won a tender in 2013 on the purchase of a 66-percent stake in DESFA for 400 million euros.
The Azerbaijani company intended to obtain a 31-percent stake from the Greek government and to buy a 35-percent stake in Hellenic Petroleum.
It was expected that the deal will be closed only after the purchase of at least a 17-percent stake out of SOCAR’s 66-percent by Italy’s Snam.
SOCAR, Snam and Greek government have been holding intensive talks against the background of changes in legislation that affected DESFA’s financial position and market value.
However, the parties were unable to reach an understanding and consequently, the deal was terminated Nov. 30.
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