Sibneft Merger Looks Dead.

(From The Moscow Times)

Monday came and went without word from either Yukos or Sibneft on the fate of their stalled merger, leading analysts to conclude that a deal to create the world's No. 4 oil producer is now dead.

"There is no return from the current situation," said Steven Dashevsky, head of research at the Aton brokerage. "There are no longer grounds to forge a partnership."

Sibneft shocked the market Friday by pulling out of what would have been a historic $35 billion tie-up just minutes before the two companies were to hold their first joint board meeting to enshrine the new company's charter and approve its new name, YukosSibneft.

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