Роснефть конфликт с CNPC

К Тимофею обратились с вопросом по поводу конфликта Роснефти и CNPС. Ниже привожу статью, которая немного проливает на это дело свет. Жутко извиняюсь, что на английском (не нашел русского источника, а времени перевести не было)

Rosneft found itself in a conflict with China's CNPC
Publication: Izvestiia Bizekon Report
Provider: Russica Izvestiia
March 21, 2011
Conflict has flared between Russia's Rosneft and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) over the price of Russian oil supplied under the 2009 contract, a source close to Rosneft said. The dispute, which could go to court unless resolved at corporate level, jeopardizes a major intergovernmental oil deal signed in February 2009 when China agreed to lend $25 billion to Rosneft and pipeline monopoly Transneft in exchange for long-term oil supplies. Rosneft used the funds to refinance debt and fund its investment program, while Transneft completed the pipeline link to China and used the remaining cash for current operations. Rosneft believes China unilaterally cut the price of the crude supplied, causing the state oil producer a shortfall of $40 million in January, the source said. Russia supplied 1.25 million tons of crude to China in January under the contract. The 20-year contract includes a pricing formula which the partners have not disclosed. However, it is estimated that China is paying $60 per barrel for Russian crude, while lower-quality Urals oil traded at $111.3 on Thursday. The price China has to pay includes the oil transportation fee via the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline, about $63 per metric ton to the Kozmino terminal. Yet, the Chinese company believes it should be charged less because the oil is only shipped as far as Skovorodino where the link to China branches off. The partners clashed over the issue even before the contract was signed, a source added. Rosneft and CNPC have been trying to resolve the conflict since last week. Rosneft president Eduard Khudainatov confirmed they were in talks. If they fail to come to terms over the next month, the two governments may have to intervene. The issue may even be raised during President Dmitry Medvedev's talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao during the upcoming BRIC summit. Rosneft said it is prepared to see the issue go to court. Any dispute arising under its contract with CNPC would be resolved in London, a source close to the company said. Both CNPC and Transneft declined to comment on the conflict. Rosneft's PR office assured the media that «company policy is to follow established procedure to resolve any operational issues that might arise.» Valery Nesterov from Troika Dialog said the conflict was a mere technicality in the partners' relations because both Rosneft and CNPC are equally interested in stable oil supplies. The ESPO branch carrying oil to China has already been built and, more importantly, the Chinese company made a considerable financial contribution to its construction, so any disruption to supplies would not be in China's interests. He also said that China planned to raise oil imports via ESPO to 30 million tons, buying part of that volume at the Kozmino terminal. Alexei Kokin from Uralsib said China could save over $460 million a year if it wins the case, but Russia is unlikely to agree to that.