Deputy PM on Oil Transportation Procedure

As of May 1, 2003, the Russian government commission for using backbone pipelines is canceling compensations to oil companies within the framework of the new procedure of oil transportation without differentiating the quality of oil pumped, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko, the commission's head, told journalists today.

Khristenko pointed out that the new procedure would provide for an increase in oil transportation by 10m tons per year. Moreover, in the third quarter of 2003 it is planned to consider the question of repairing oil-pumping stations, which will result in an additional 16m-18m tons of oil pumped per year.