Russia's TNK-BP Eyeing BP Assets Abroad - Deputy CEO

30th Jun 2010 11:23

MOSCOW (Dow Jones)--Russia's TNK-BP Holding (TNBP.RS) is interested in acquiring BP PLC (BP) assets abroad, Deputy CEO Maxim Barsky said Wednesday. The Russian oil major--which was created in 2003 by the merger between BP's Russian and Ukrainian assets and those of several Russian conglomerates, including Alfa Group--is eyeing BP downstream assets in Europe and offshore assets, Barsky said. TNK-BP would be interested in acquiring "assets that would either add value to our portfolio... or assets that can bring us new expertise; for example, tight gas, unconventional gas or offshore drilling," Barsky said. The company is also interested in acquiring assets in areas where Russia has strong political connections, he added. Acquisitions "have been discussed with BP, but they haven't put anything up for sale as far as we know," said Barsky. Barsky also said TNK-BP is looking at the Pavlodar refinery, located in Kazakhstan. He said European downstream assets would add value to TNK-BP's portfolio if they were located in areas where oil from the Druzhba pipeline is delivered. BP CEO Tony Hayward met with Alfa Group Chairman Mikhail Fridman in Moscow this week, Barsky said, without providing details. -By Jacob Grunholt-Pedersen and Ira Iosebashvili, Dow Jones Newswires; +7 495 232 9195; [email protected] -0- (MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires June 30, 2010 06:23 ET (10:23 GMT)