RUSSIA / UK/ OIL : 18 Oct UPDATE: Rosneft Nears $56 Billion TNK-BP Takeover.

              IST LINK CHANGE:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-18/oil-s-second-biggest-deal-nears-as-bp-rosneft-ceos-meet-energy.html

     Rosneft is getting serious about consolidating energy production.
     It has bid $28 billion for BP's 50% ownership of TNK-BP...after agreeing to a $28 billion deal with its tycoon co-owners.

     If concluded...the deal would elevate Rosneft into global oil production leadership...with 4 million bpd...exceeding the current #1 Exxon.
     TNK-BP has been valued at $50-56 billion.