Novatek, Russia’s largest independent gas producer, plans to raise up to $1 billion via a syndicated loan to fund organic growth and acquisitions. Bulgaria and Russia are to sign a €4 billion ($5.95 billion) contract to build a nuclear plant in northern Bulgaria. Building will commence later this year. Gazprom has raised its offer for 51% of NIS, the state-run Serbian oil and gas company, by €100 million in an attempt to reach an agreement by the end of the week, ahead of Serbia’s presidential elections.