Energy Blast – July 12, 2010

State oil company Zarubezhneft is apparently looking to further its collaboration with Vietnam, including enhancing the crude reserves of their RusVietPetro joint venture.  The Chevron-led venture TengizChevroil has rebuffed claims from the Kazakhstan government that it has flouted limitations on oil output.  Japan and Russia have agreed to build a LNG plant near Vladivostok, ITAR-TASS reports.  Mir submarines are apparently being used in Lake Baikal to investigate the presence of gas hydrates, which are seen as an ‘energy of the future’.  Italian utility Enel has reportedly not come to a decision on whether to sell its $1 billion, 73% stake in Bulgaria’s Maritsa East Three coal-fired power plant to Inter RAO UES or not.  The Telegraph wonders whether BP can resist a now inevitable-seeming takeover from a US rival?  Differing reports on oil production rates at Sakhalin from Oil and Gas Eurasia and Ria-Novosti.