Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 11
By Maksim Tsurkov – Trend:
Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR refused to participate in the new tender on privatization of the Greek natural gas grid operator DESFA.
The company’s name is not on the list of applicants published by the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund S.A (HRADF).
In total, six investment schemes expressed their interest to acquire 66 percent of share capital of DESFA.
In particular, expressions of interest were submitted by: Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (Europe) Limited; Snam S.p.A./ Enagás Internacional S.L.U./ Fluxys S.A./ N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie; Transgaz S.A. / GRTgaz S.A.; Regasificadora del Noroeste S.A.; Integrated Utility Services Inc. (INTUS) and Powerglobe LLC.
SOCAR didn’t comment on its participation in the new tender.
Earlier, Greece announced a new tender for privatization of the country’s DESFA natural gas grid operator.
The new tender will involve again the sale of DESFA’s 66 percent share capital (31 percent held by HRADF and 35 percent held by Hellenic Petroleum). The remaining 34 percent of DESFA shares shall be transferred to the government.
In 2013 SOCAR won a tender on the purchase of a 66-percent stake in DESFA for 400 million euros.
It was expected that the deal would 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 its market value.
Nonetheless, the parties were unable to reach an understanding and consequently the deal was terminated Nov. 30.
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