ERG sells 20% stake in Italian ISAB refinery venture to partner Lukoil
Italian refiner ERG said Tuesday that it would sell a 20% stake in its ISAB refinery joint venture to Russia-based partner Lukoil.
ERG said its board decided to exercise a put option for the sale.
After the deal closes, Italy's ERG will own 20% of the refinery, with Lukoil owning the other 80%.
"This transaction allows ERG to downsize its presence in the refining business against a background of continuing crisis," ERG chief executive Alessandro Garrone said.
The companies agreed to the ISAB venture in 2008, under which the Sicily-based refinery has a capacity of roughly 320,000 bpd.
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, Lukoil officials said.
The transaction amount will approach 400 million, excluding inventory, according to Lukoil.
Comments