Italian utility Edison SpA (EDN.MI) may sell a 25% stake in Egypt's Abu-Qir gas field project to Electricite de France SA (1024251.FR) in an attempt to prevent an enlargement of its debt, La Repubblica reported in its Wednesday Internet edition.
As of Sept. 30, Edison's net debt stood at EUR2.82 billion, compared with EUR2.69 billion on Dec. 31, 2007.
Edison's chief executive, Umberto Quadrino, said last week he expects to win the tender for Abu-Qir natural gas field and predicts an announcement in coming weeks.