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Urals hits out at Russia claims



By Vladimir Afanasiev 

Photo by URALS ENERGY


Russian independent player Urals Energy has denied claims it breached Russian environmental regulations, adding it has received no official notification of alleged violations, nor was it alerted to the possibility of an investigation into its operations at Kolguyev Island in the north of Russia.

Urals chief executive Leonid Dyachenko said: “These allegations are without foundation. Urals Energy has an excellent track record of compliance within all of its operating subsidiaries.

"We have offered our full co-operation to the ministry today to clear these misunderstandings and look forward to working with them. I am confident that this issue will be quickly resolved.”

This morning, Russian enviromental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor, which is part of the Natrual Resources Ministry, said that it is planning to start an audit of the company “within one week”, according to Kremlin-sponsored 24-hour television news channel Vesti.

Vesti has quoted Rosprirodnadzor as saying that they are “reacting to appeals from Russian environmentalists” that a subsidiary of Urals Energy which produces oil on Kolguyev is “dumping oil products and waste into the sea”.

Urals said in response release tonight that it is “confident that no violations have occurred and these accusations will be shown to be false should any examination take place”.

The company said that its operations are routinely reviewed and inspected by the relevant government agencies and in each case has received the necessary approvals.

It added it operates all of its assets in accordance with Russian regulations and legislation.


Tuesday, 15 May, 2007, 18:12 GMT  | last updated: Tuesday, 15 May, 2007, 18:49 GMT

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