London, March 8, 2010: Ruia brothers-led Essar group is working towards a US$8-billion listing of its oil and power businesses in London, according to The Telegraph. "Billionaire Ruia brothers have begun preparations for a US$8 billion (5.3 billion pounds) London listing of their oil and power businesses...," the British daily has reported.

The Ruia brothers - Ravi and Shashi - are ranked fifth among India's billionaires with a fortune of $13.6 billion by Forbes magazine.

The Telegraph said the listing could make it the first Indian company to enter London's main market since Vedanta Resources seven years ago.

"Essar is looking at a London listing of a holding company which will have it refinery, power, exploration and production businesses," The Telegraph has reported quoting a source.

Attributing to another source, the daily said the Essar group had already contacted the London Stock Exchange authorities to begin discussions on potential obstacles to a float.

"Group chairman Ravi Ruia has been based in the group's London offices in Berkeley Square for nearly four months, developing the group's international plans, and his nephew, Prashant, the group chief executive, has been shuttling back and forth from Mumbai," the report noted.

According to the daily, Essar has also launched an advertising campaign to raise its profile.

Quoting an Essar spokesman, the report said it was premature to discuss the London listing and stressed that no final decision had been made.

The group appointed JP Morgan Cazenove as its adviser two months ago, The Telegraph said, attributing to a source close to the process.

"London investors will have to weigh Essar's strong growth prospects against its often fraught relationship with its minority share and debenture holders," The Telegraph said.