The state-controlled Russian gas giant Gazprom is reported to have asked the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for a loan of USD 300 million to refinance the giant gas project Sakhalin-2. According to the Russian RBK Daily newspaper, Russian ministers disclosed the request to the Japanese ministry of commerce during an official visit to Tokyo. In January, the EBRD turned down an earlier request for a USD 400 million loan for the Sakhalin-2 liquified gas project in eastern Russia after Gazprom became a majority shareholder.
