KMG International

Romania on Thursday approved China Energy Company Limited's purchase of a majority stake in KMG International, by which it will obtain control of the Romanian energy company Rompetrol Rafinare.

Kazahstan-based KMG International owns 48.1 per cent of Rompetrol Rafinare, with the Romanian state owning another 44.7 per cent. Other share holders hold the rest.

The Bucharest County court on Tuesday rejected the request for insolvency filed by the Romanian oil company Rompetrol SA, which is part of the Netherlands-based oil and gas group KMG International.

The reasoning of the judges had not been made public so far, but Rompetrol has seven days to appeal.

The negotiations between KazMunayGaz and the Romanian state over Rompetrol Refining will end in July, but the payment of 200 million dollars for a 26.6 pct stake in the refinery cannot be made in 2015, because 6 to 7 months are required to take all the necessary steps after the completion of the negotiations, Azamat Zhangulov, senior vice president of KMG International, said on Tuesday.

KMG International, owner of the Zalau-based producer of cast iron and steel industrial fittings Rominserv Iaifo Valves, plans to sell this asset to a partner interested in continuing the production activity; company representatives assured that the divestment decision will not imply layoffs or other restructuring moves.