TNK-BP

MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) - The Russian shareholders in TNK-BP do not have preferred right for purchasing BP's stake in the company, a source close to the shareholders told Interfax.

However, when asked about the possible sale of BP's stake in TNK-BP, the source suggested paying attention to future CEO Robert Dudley's visit to Moscow next week.

Dudley will replace Tony Hayward as CEO from October 1, 2010. Hayward will remain a member of BP's board of directors. He will also be nominated to the board of TNK-BP.

BP has spend over $3 billion on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It plans to raise a total of $50 billion to defray the costs of the spill.

TNK-BP has been one of BP's most valuable assets.