Oil majors Rosneft and Saudi Aramco are unlikely to bid in the privatisation of Indian refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp, sources familiar with the matter said, as low oil prices and weak fuel demand curb investment plans.
Russia's Rosneft had expressed interest in buying the federal government's 53.29% stake in Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) when CEO Igor Sechin visited New Delhi in February, while India's trade minister has said that Aramco was enthusiastic about the stake sale.
A Rosneft source, however, said his company will not buy BPCL. Another source said Rosneft would only be interested in BPCL's marketing business comprising fuel depots and