BASF-Gazprom Swap Has Cash Component
The gas asset swap between BASF oil and gas subsidiary Wintershall and Russian gas giant Gazprom will include a cash component previously undisclosed, according to a report by the Russian Interfax news agency. Interfax said the German partner will make an additional payment for the assets received; the amount has not yet been determined, however.
The deal announced in 2012 and approved by the European Commission at the beginning of December 2013was held up by the Ukrainian crisis and only completed at the end of 2015, although it is financially retroactive to Apr. 1, 2013.Terms called for Wintershall to receive the economic equivalent of 25% plus one share of two blocks of the Achimov formation of the Urengoy natural gas and condensate field in western Siberia.
In return for the exploration asssets, Wintershall agreed to transfer its share in the jointly operated natural gas trading and storage business to Gazprom, and exit the sector. The Russian group also was awarded a 50% share in the activities of Wintershall Noordzee, active in the exploration and production of oil and gas in the southern North Sea.
Separately, a report by the Balkan News Agency points to ongoing negotiations on a proposed between Gazprom and Austrian oil and gas group OMV. It notes, however, that results are not expected before March.
The talks are said to revolve around the Austrian group taking a 24.9% stake in the Siberian pipeline. Rainer Seele, CEO of OMV since July 2015, previously headed Wintershall, from 2009. The BASF subsidiary also has a stake in the pipeline.
