Vekselberg not ruling out new oil, gas projects abroad
MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, until recently a co-owner of TNK-BP, may implement new oil and gas projects abroad.
"We have not ruled out [entry into oil and gas projects], but not in Russia," Vekselberg told journalists.
Asked whether he had received the proceeds from sale of his TNK-BP stake, he said: "[We] received the money."
Vekselberg previously said his Renova group would soon announce completion of its first deal using money from sale of TNK-BP. A source familiar with the situation told Interfax that Vekselberg's first acquisitions following the TNK-BP sale might be announced before the end of April. Renova is considering three areas for future investment: high-tech engineering, biomedical and IT, the source said.
Vekselberg netted $7 billion from sale of TNK-BP. The sale price was adjusted by the $709 million TNK-BP paid in dividends and by interest on the $28 billion sale price (3.75% annually effective from October 16 until the closing date).
