Slow progress: at Kovykta
Gazprom 'disappointed' by Kovykta talks
Gazprom is "a bit disappointed" by protracted talks with BP's Russian venture, TNK-BP, about taking a controlling stake in the Kovykta gas field, the Russian gas giant's deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev said today.
"The ministry of resources can call the licence back if conditions are not executed. The ball is not in our court. We are a little bit disappointed," Reuters quoted Medvedev as telling a briefing.
TNK-BP, Gazprom and BP are involved in talks over the creation of a joint venture on the basis of the Kovykta gas field, which belongs to TNK-BP but which Gazprom agreed to buy last summer after months of state pressure on TNK-BP.
TNK-BP boss Robert Dudley said earlier this month that both he and Gazprom were hopeful the deal would be closed by the end of April.