Russian gas monopoly Gazprom said it could at some stage consider taking a stake in Austrian oil and gas group OMV although the time for such a move had not yet come, according to a newspaper report.
Asked in an interview with daily Oberoesterreichische Nachrichten whether he would rule out taking a stake in OMV, Gazprom Deputy Chief Executive Alexander Medvedev replied: "Never say never."
"Given the right premises, we could talk with OMV about a joint venture, or maybe even buying a stake," said Medvedev, who also heads Gazprom's export arm. "But the time hasn't come yet."
Gazprom supplies three quarters of Austria's gas and said earlier it would like to sell more gas to the country and also directly to consumers in the Alpine republic.
Last Wednesday, Gazprom and OMV signed a memorandum of understanding, on the Russian firm taking a stake in OMV's gas hub and establishing joint storage projects.
(Reuters, 25/05/2007)