MOSCOW — Gazprom is planning to attract a new bank credit totaling approximately $1.5bn to refinance its short-term debt, an analyst with Prospect Investment believes. A favorable situation for attracting credits has formed on the market. Credit rates may increase in 2 to 3 weeks. According to the specialist, Gazprom needs to attract new loans due to the fact that the gas holding financed Rosneft's acquisition of Yuganskneftegaz through buying the oil company's stakes in shelf projects.

Analysts with Veles Capital believe that by attracting credits Gazprom will bring its debt in compliance with that of Rosneft. If this information is confirmed, it will be possible to conclude that the Gazprom-Rosneft merger is in full progress.