"Rosneft" and Edward Khudainatov’s independent oil and gas company are interested in "Bashneft".

Before "Bashneft" announced its intention to make a placement in London, "people associated with "Rosneft", offered "Bashneft"’s shareholders the acquisition or other forms of cooperation, a federal official who knows about this from the leadership of "Rosneft" told "the Vedomosti". The parties did not agree on the price, he adds. A source in the government confirmed the fact that "Rosneft" is interested in "Bashneft". But AFK "Sistema" (which controls 85% of the ordinary shares of "Bashneft") received no formal proposals, he adds.

Edward Hudaynatov, the owner of the Independent Oil and Gas Company (NNK) some time ago met Felix Yevtushenkov, the Chairman of "Bashneft"’s Board of Directors, the son of Vladimir Yevtushenko, the main owner of AFK "Sistema", stated two friends of the latter. Hudaynatov proposed to merge "Bashneft" with NNK, but was refused, they stated.