Energy Blast – May 20, 2011

‘Like Rasputin, BP’s deal with Rosneft refuses to die’.  Rosneft and BP will continue to cooperate, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin has apparently told ITAR-TASS, despite the arctic deal ostensibly falling through.  Gazprom and China have reportedly agreed on a price and aim to deal with outstanding issues and sign a supply contract by mid-year, deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev has told Reuters.   The Russian monopoly has criticized European gas importers for backing spot prices as a better benchmark for supplies rather than the long term price deals to which they have committed with Russia.   Lukoil, Gazprom and Zarubezhneft may acquire 16% of Petrol Group d.d., the largest Slovenian energy company, Bloomberg reports.  The Wall Street Journal examines Poland’s optimism about shale gas.  It has been reported that leaked records suggest Russia secretly moved in 2006 to sabotage activities at Iran’s unfinished Bushehr nuclear power plant, and provoke delays in the jointly-run project.