BP withdraws remaining TNK-BP specialists
By Catherine Belton in Moscow
Published: July 22 2008 19:36 | Last updated: July 22 2008 19:51
BP is withdrawing all its remaining technical specialists from TNK-BP, its Russian joint venture as the UK-based oil group becomes increasingly frustrated with its local partners.
The pull-out of the 60 specialists is likely to hit TNK-BPs future production when the Russian government has urged Russias oil industry to increase output in response to the first signs of a decline in a decade.
Alastair Graham, BPs chief shareholder representative in TNK-BP, said Were taking these actions reluctantly. These technical experts have played a huge part in making TNK-BP one of the most successful oil producers and [their departure] will have an impact on the companys performance.
The move also came as TNK-BP signed off on a deal to study a project to extract heavy oil from Venezuelas Orinoco Oil Belt, an agreement that could partly dispel the Russian shareholders claims that BP is blocking the joint ventures international expansion.
Mr Graham said the 60 specialists that had remained in Russia had been due to install new technology that would have helped the company tap new remote fields and boost production in west Siberia by halving drilling costs with new hydro-rigs.
They would now be redeployed at other BP ventures across the globe, such as in Azerbaijan, the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico where they could add more value for BP shareholders.
BPs technical specialists have been barred from working at the company since March, because of, first, visa problems and then, a court injunction, part of a battle for control of the company.
BPs decision comes as officials threaten to deny Robert Dudley, the BP-backed chief executive, a new visa. His forced departure would be a serious blow to BPs holding in TNK-BP and would leave the Russian shareholders with operational control.
The Russian government has insisted the stand-off is a matter for shareholders and has said it will not interfere.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, reiterated that view on Tuesday but added we can only hope that such decisions by BP do not negatively impact the activity of the company.
The Russian shareholders, who hold their stake in the venture via the Alfa-Access-Renova consortium, said they were confident BPs decision will not have an adverse impact on TNK-BPs operations, adding that the specialists had not been working at the company for months.
BP had already temporarily redeployed some 88 specialists seconded to TNK-BP because of the injunction. An Omsk court last week had ruled to overturn an injunction against the specialists returning to work, but Mr Graham said the injunction had yet to be lifted by bailiffs.
BP has accused AAR of using corporate raiding tactics to seize control of the venture. AAR denies any connection to the mounting administrative pressure but has said it wants to reduce the number of foreign staff at the company and get rid of the costly BP technical staff.
EDITORS CHOICE
BP counts cost of Russian dispute – Jul-18
Visa reprieve for TNK-BP chief – Jul-18
BP expands US gas operations– Jul-18
Lex: TNK-BP – Jul-15
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
