Russia’s obscure Baikalfinansgroup bought Yukos’ core production unit at auction for $9.3bn (€7bn) today, gaining control of one of Russia’s most prized oil assets.
Virtually nothing is known about the winner except the fact that it is registered in the central city of Tver.
The second of two bidders, the state-controlled Gazpromneft company, had widely been expected to be the winner of the Yuganskneftegaz.
However, Gazpromneft’s representatives didn’t move when Baikalfinansgroup offered to pay $9.3bn (€7bn) for the stock, just a fraction over the $8.8bn (€6.6bn) starting price.