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RDIF can take deal with EDC to one of closest meetings of Foreign Investment Commission

Dmitriev also noted that a possible decision of Schlumberger, another applicant for a stake in EDC, to withdraw its bid would not affect RDIF deal

DAVOS, January 25. /TASS/. Consortium of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and sovereign funds from China and the Middle East plans to submit a deal to acquire a stake in the Russian oilfield services company Eurasia Drilling Company (EDC) for consideration to one of the closest meetings of the Government Commission on Monitoring Foreign Investment, Head of the fund Kirill Dmitriev told TASS on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"I think we will not take it to the nearest meeting, if everything goes together, we will take it to the next one," he said. Earlier it was reported that the closest meeting could be held in January - February, 2019.

Dmitriev also noted that a possible decision of Schlumberger, another applicant for a stake in EDC, to withdraw its bid would not affect RDIF deal. "We started our deal independently of Schlumberger, we are ready to continue it absolutely independently. Moreover, FAS clearly said that they have no questions about RDIF and our sovereign funds entering into a minority stake in the company," Dmitriev concluded.

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser told TASS earlier that the company is ready to conclude contracts with the Russian oilfield services company EDC after completing the deal to enter the company's capital in partnership with RDIF.

"As soon as we finalize agreements (on buying a share in EDC - TASS). All companies that meet our criteria, will be allowed to work on our fields and facilities. EDC is in good standing, that’s why we are interested in investing in it and start working," he said.

EDC is Russia’s largest oil service company. It was established on the basis of oilfield services assets of service assets of Russia’s Lukoil purchased in 2004 by companies of Russian businessman Alexander Dzhaparidze. Currently, the largest co-owners of Eurasia Drilling are Alexander Dzhaparidze with a 30.63% stake and Alexander Putilov with 22.4%. Other shareholders include various international and domestic funds.

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