Lukoil seeks Litasco buyer

摘要

Russian private-sector firm Lukoil's trading arm, Litasco, could soon be up for sale, company president Vagit Alekperov says, although it may struggle to find a buyer. Much will depend on the extent to which Litasco would retain Lukoil contracts after any sale, market participants say. They doubt that any of the other big trading firms will be interested. The world's leading oil trading firms, such as Trafigura, Vitol and Gunvor, have in recent years preferred deals that include physical assets. But some market participants suggest that Russian banks keen to move into or expand involvement in physical oil trading could be potential buyers.