Spanish authorities changed their view of the possible acquisition of a large block of shares in Repsol Russian company Lukoil. Officials believe that the transaction will improve relations between the two countries.Moreover, according to several media, with reference to sources in the Russian government and the company, Lukoil was able to attract loans to buy shares in the Spanish-Argentine company Repsol. The loan amount, as well as what banks will finance parties, the sides do not disclose. Spokesman LUKOYLa yesterday denied this information. Analysts warn that the transaction may be negatively perceived by investors, says today RBC daily. Oil and gas group Repsol YPF created in 1999 through the merger of Spanish and Argentine Repsol YPF. The group has oil and gas in 29 countries, mostly in Spain and Argentina. Major shareholders: Sacyr Vallehermoso SA (20,01%), Criteria Caixa Corp. (14,29%), Petroleos Mexicanos (4,90%), Chase Nominees Ltd (9,83%), Axa SA (4,21%). The leadership of the Russian LUKOYLa made to attract a large loan, which will allow the company to buy shares of energy giant Repsol. This agency Reuters reported sources in the Russian government. Lukoil has closed a deal to bring credit to Repsol , – said the agency interlocutor. In this specific loan amount has not been named. In addition, it is unknown what the banks involved in credit – domestic or foreign. Source agency RIA RBC, close to Lukoil, also confirmed this information, but noted that the transaction has not yet closed. Recall the interest of LUKOIL in buying 29,9% Repsol said in October the Spanish media. The package comprises 20% stake in construction company Sacyr Vallehermoso and almost 10% of the shares of minority shareholders. According to different estimates, 30 per cent could do LUKOIL in 6-13 billion U.S. help Russian companies to finance the deal offered to the syndicate of 48 banks, said later the Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias. The loan amount – 5.18 billion euros. One of the conditions of the loan was to provide additional guarantees on debt, as shares of Repsol insufficient as the only security. The publication argued that Lukoil agrees to provide its assets and bonds as a guarantee. In the event that the Company will deal, the government of his support, promised two weeks ago, the head of the Ministry Sergei Shmatko. However, Spanish officials have been less of promises kept, because they believe Repsol, must remain independent and the Spanish company, but assured that oppose the sale of minority stake to a Russian company the Government would not. Moreover, recently the Spanish authorities have become more loyal to the forthcoming transaction. As reported yesterday by Bloomberg News, referring to the newspaper El Mundo, the acquisition of Lukoil maximum 20% share of Repsol has been supported by the Secretary General Staff of the Spanish Government Bernardino Leon (empowered to negotiate). In his view, the deal could help the construction company Sacyr Vallehermoso SA, which plans to sell its 20% Repsol, and would be a sign of improving relations between Russia and Spain. Against the backdrop of circulating in the press already about two months of interest LUKOYLa to a transaction in the company called all these rumors. And last week, Vagit Alekperov said that any talks on buying Spanish group did not lead. In doing so, according to some figures, minority shareholders LUKOYLa already expressed their opposition to the deal by offering to invest in production facilities in Russia.
