Russian government to take decision on contract between Russian, Chinese oil companies

The Russian government will decide on the contract between YUKOS and the Chinese oil and gas company soon, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov told a press conference in Moscow.

According to him, "the agreement is a statement of intentions of the two oil companies," Losyukov noted. "The government has not taken a decision on this issue yet" and is estimating the economic efficiency of the project, he said.

On May 28, 2003 in Moscow YUKOS chairman of the board Mikhail Khodorkovsky and President of the Chinese national oil and gas corporation Ma Fucai signed the general treaty on the basic principles and agreements on the long-term contract of oil supplies via the Russia-China pipeline.

Oil supplies should start in 2005. In the first five years, the volume of supplies will total 20 mln tons and from 2010 - 30 mln tons.

According to Khodorkovsky, the size of the deal totals $150 bln for 25 years. The Russian budget will gain some $60 bln.

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