Key driller in move to apply for state support

摘要

RUSSIA'S Gazprombank has backed an application from a key drilling contractor for oil producer Gazprom Neft and Novatek, the country's largest independent gas producer, to be added to the growing list of companies that can qualify for state support and will be prevented from going bankrupt. Privately-held driller Eriell and minority shareholder Gazprom-bank have submitted the necessary paperwork to the Energy Ministry in anticipation of authorities partially compensating the cost of loans issued to allow the driller to expand its fleet of modern rigs. Authorities have already added several other privately-owned drilling contractors including Eurasia Drilling, Siberian Service Company and Integra to this list. The list, the first version of which was approved in March, now includes almost 900 companies from various branches of the Russian industry.