By Liam Moloney
ROME--Chief Executive Luca Bettonte of Italian energy company
ERG SpA (ERG.MI) said on Tuesday it was too early to say if the
company is interested in buying the Italian distribution businesses
of Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB.LN).
Mr. Bettonte said at a conference call after the company's
first-quarter results that any potential acquisition would have to
take place through its joint venture, TotalERG, in which it
partners French company Total SA (TOT).
"We can't avoid [taking into account the future sale]...but we
don't have any details..," said Mr. Bettonte. "Maybe it is
interesting from an industrial point of view."
Last month, Shell said it was considering the sale of its
retail, aviation and supply, and distribution downstream businesses
in Italy. Shell has about 870 gas stations in Italy.
Write to Liam Moloney at liam.moloney@dowjones.com
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