MOSCOW, March 25 - Russia's Gazprom plans to exercise an option to buy back 20 percent of its oil arm Gazprom Neft and Russian gas assets from Italy's ENI in early April, industry sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
"It's going to be part of (Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi's visit to Moscow," one of the sources said.
Industry sources added that Gazprom was currently talking to a number of Russian state banks to raise financing to exercise the option, which could cost up to $5.5 billion.
However, the sources said the two sides have yet to reach an agreement on the final price.
"It's going to be part of (Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi's visit to Moscow," one of the sources said.
Industry sources added that Gazprom was currently talking to a number of Russian state banks to raise financing to exercise the option, which could cost up to $5.5 billion.
However, the sources said the two sides have yet to reach an agreement on the final price.
