Rotch Energy-Kulczyk partnership now tipped for Rafineria Gdanska deal

The break-up of the Rotch Energy-Lukoil consortium has not discouraged Rotch Energy (RE) from seeking another partner in the privatization of the Gdansk Refinery (Rafineria Gdanska - RG), as the British concern now intends to persuade private entrepreneur Jan Kulczyk to join the refinery's privatization. "This afternoon representatives of RE are to meet Kulczyk," said a source close to the RG privatization. According to Puls Biznesu, Nafta Polska (NP) the body responsible for RG's privatization, is going to wait for Rotch to submit a more detailed purchase offer. On the other hand, NP is inclined to take the stand that the British concern can no longer be taken seriously in the race for control over RG, particularly as it has been assuring for over a year that it has managed to find a partner. "The talks with Kulczyk were held several months ago, but then Rotch withdrew from the deal claiming that the Russian partner [Lukoil] would be better," the source told Puls Biznesu. Jan Kulczyk does not deny that that he is willing to become involved in the privatization of the Polish oil sector. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) A.Z.