Energy Blast – Dec 6, 2011

Russia’s TNK-BP, currently developing a gas project in Vietnam acquired from its major shareholder BP, has apparently also bid for ConocoPhillips’ assets in the Asian country.  Gazprom and NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy have reportedly signed an agreement allowing the Ukrainian company to use rubles to pay for energy deliveries.  Russian Accession to the WTO will not have a major impact on the country’s domestic gas industry or export revenues, says the Moscow Times.  Reuters reports that Russia expects its oil export to remain flat in 2012 at a plateau of around 250 million tonnes.  BP has accused oil services company Halliburton of intentionally destroying evidence that could be used to show that the US  company is also culpable for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.  The Wall Street Journal reports on how drilling for oil in Eastern Siberia has proved a rude challenge for oil majors, with seemingly little reward.