Another blow from Vlad the Impaler

Kremlin may force BP to share oil venture

Terry Macalister in MoscowMonday March 19, 2007Guardian Unlimited
BP has warned western investors that it could soon be forced to share control of its highly profitable Russian joint venture, TNK-BP, with a Kremlin-controlled energy group such as Gazprom or Rosneft.
The change could come after the end of a "lock-in" period in December when its local private partners, the Alfa and Access/Renova groups, can sell their 50% stake in Russia's third largest oil producer. The other half is owned by BP.