Russia's Sintez Group will not bid for Greek gas company DEPA, but may
bid for its gas-network operator, DESFA, Sintez said Monday.
Sintez was one of two Russian companies, alongside state gas
giant OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) that showed initial interest in DEPA. But
Sintez, controlled by Russian tycoon Leonid Lebedev, said in a statement
Monday it is only considering a bid for DESFA.
"A final decision on whether to submit a binding offer will be
made in the near future following review of the final versions of the
shareholder agreements and sale contract," the company said.
The sale of DEPA and DESFA are a flagship for Greece's
European Union-backed privatization drive, aimed at bolstering the
country's finances and paying off debt.
The gas companies have drawn interest from five different
investors from Russia, Greece and Azerbaijan, but it remains unclear how
many will submit final binding offers.
Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexei Miller has visited
Athens three times in recent months. Gazprom supplies the bulk of
Greece's gas.