BP CLOSE TO BUYING BRAZIL RAÍZEN'S AVIATION FUEL ASSETS

São Paulo, 13 - Air BP, a unit of UK energy giant BP, is close to a deal to buy from Brazil's Raízen S/A aviation fuel assets owned by Shell. Raízen is a 50-50 joint venture created earlier this year from the merger of Cosan's and Shell's ethanol and fuel distribution businesses. In July, Brazil's top antitrust regulator Cade gave Shell a 90-day deadline to sell part of the aviation fuel assets acquired in seven Brazilian airports from Cosan in 2009. The deadline expired in October. Air BP and Raízen have filed a conditional binding offer at Cade, which in the coming days should rule on the deal, estimated at R$ 150 million to R$ 200 million ($81.5 million to $109 million). Contacted by the Agência Estado newswire, Raízen declined to comment. (Eduardo Magossi)