Pipeliners

19/05/2005 (16:01) RZD News - The pipeline, which will supply oil from Russia's Eastern Siberia to Asian states, will first run to China, and then to the Pacific coast, Russia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China Igor Rogachev told reporters in Beijing on May 19. "I believe oil will first of all go to China from Skovorodino," the ambassador said. "On the second stage of the project, a pipeline will go east - to the Pacific Ocean coast," the ambassador added. He said the exploration of oil deposits continues in the Asian part of Russia. "I believe we shall find a lot of oil and we shall be able to supply it to many Asian countries, for example Japan and South Korea," Rogachev stressed. In reply to an Itar-Tass query about a possible participation of Chinese companies in the exploration of oil deposits in Eastern Siberia, Rogachev said an agreement had been reached "with Chinese colleagues to discuss that issue, in which both sides have aspects of mutual interest." "I am confident that an agreement will be reached on that issue," the ambassador emphasized.