NP tries to persuade ConocoPhillips to buy Grupa Lotos

According to sources, the firm is interested in participating in the process of privatizing PKN Orlen, while NP would rather like the concern to participate in the privatization of Grupa Lotos. "Currently we are disposing of the state's share in the firm without the presence of a sector investor, but one might be introduced. If ConocoPhillips was willing to purchase the stake in Lotos, than we would have to carry out consultations on the governmental level," said an anonymous NP representative. He went on to say that the American firm was conducting talks with both Polish oil companies on its own, but spokesmen of Orlen and Lotos denied it. The American firm owns 72 gas stations in Poland under the JET brand name. (Parkiet, p. 1; Puls Biznesu, p. 7) M.M.