Italy's largest oil and gas company Eni SpA (E) is the frontrunner to purchase Suez's (SZE.FR) stake in Belgian gas distributor Distrigas SA (DIST.BT), Belgian daily Le Soir reported in its weekend edition.
Eni has made the best offer for the 57.25% stake and has the support of the Belgian government, the paper reported, without saying where it got the information.
Franco-Belgian utility Suez is required to sell its stake in Distrigas as part of its merger with Gaz de France (1020848.FR). Suez has shortlisted Germany's E.ON AG (EOA.XE), Electricite de France (1024251.FR) and Eni as the main three candidates to buy its stake.