Russian oil boss 'concerned' at growing state role

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

MOSCOW (AFP) — The head of Russian energy major Lukoil voiced "concern" Thursday at the growing clout of state-controlled energy companies in a rare sign of open discontent in the industry.

"The strengthening of state companies is of concern to us. We don't want a division between state and private companies," Vagit Alekperov, the chief executive of Lukoil, told a news conference in Moscow, Interfax news agency reported.

Lukoil is one of the few major privately-owned energy firms in Russia, where the sector is dominated by Gazprom, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and Rosneft, which is led by Igor Sechin, the deputy head of the presidential administration.

Rosneft overtook Lukoil as Russia's main oil producer earlier this year.

...