17 Oct 2012 17:37

Rosneft yet to ask govt for clearance to buy ARR stake in TNK-BP - Dvorkovich

MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) - The Russian government has not yet received a formal request by Rosneft to buy a stake in TNK-BP from the Russian AAR consortium, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich told reporters.

"I've heard a letter of intent was signed but there are no legally binding agreements yet," Dvorkovich said.

"There have been no requests for approval, at least not formal ones. I know that commercial talks are in progress," he said.

The government's approval and a directive are required for a deal like this, he said.

"I'll form a judgment when I see a request to the government," Dvorkovich said.