It is expected that Russian oil exploration and production company Imperial Energy will form a strategic tie up with Gazprombank this year following pressure from regulators last year. Gazprom announced that it has increased natural gas supplies to Greece and Turkey to above previously-contracted levels. Uzbekistan is to begin charging Russia up to 50% more for natural gas exports in 2008, according to a new report. Gazprom “will find it hard to become a major player in Nigeria”.