NOVATEK and China's SRF sign binding definitive agreements

OAO NOVATEK has announced the signing of binding definitive agreements as part of a transaction for selling an equity stake in the Yamal LNG project to China’s Silk Road Fund (SRF).

In particular, the parties signed a share purchase and sale agreement in relation to a 9.9% equity stake in Yamal LNG. The closure of the transaction is subject to certain amendments to the intergovernmental agreement between Russia and China coming into force.

The parties also signed an agreement for the provision of a 15-year loan by SRF to NOVATEK in the amount of approximately €730 million for the purpose of financing of the Yamal LNG project. The larger part of the loan has been disbursed to Yamal LNG.

Chairman of the Management Board of NOVATEK, Leonid V. Mikhelson, stated: “The signing of the binding agreements for the sale of an equity stake in Yamal LNG is another important step in the execution of our long-term development strategy. With the closure of this transaction we will achieve the appropriate target shareholder structure, which will contribute to the planned financing of the project and further facilitate its successful implementation”.

President of SRF, Wang Yanzhi, stated: “We are pleased to sign the definitive agreements to enter the Yamal LNG project, which is progressing on schedule and is widely viewed as sustainable due to its high-quality conventional reserve base and long-term contracts for almost 100% of its sales volumes”.

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/18122015/novatek-and-chinas-srf-sign-binding-definitive-agreements-1832/