The share of the world’s oil reserves controlled by big Western oil companies, such as BP, Shell and ExxonMobil, has fallen to less than 10%, compared with 70% in 1978; and world reserves are dominated increasingly by government-controlled national oil companies in big producer countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Gazprom will buy back 1.7 million of its MICEX-listed shares and distribute them to selected employees. “The Russian energy giant did not say how many company managers will be awarded shares.” Kyrgyzstan’s newly appointed Prime Minister has announced that Kyrgyzgaz will be sold. “Although no tender has been held yet, it is clear that Russia’s Gazprom will take partial or full ownership of Kyrgyzgaz.”