Pipeliners

26 February 2007 - Upstream - Russia has completed the first section of a 4300-kilometre pipeline linking Siberian oilfields to its Pacific seaboard. Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko told Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on a visit to Tokyo that the first 700 kilometres of the pipeline had been built, a Japanese foreign ministry source told the Associated Press. Khristenko reportedly said Russia would continue with the project despite the concerns of environmentalist. The pipeline had already been rerouted away from sensitive areas around Lake Baikal and environmentalists are concerned about threats to beaches and marine life on Russia's Pacific Coast. Khristenko confirmed that the pipeline would reach the coast near the town of Kosmino, near Nakhodka, the official said. However, Russian pipeline giant Transneft will also construct a southern branch to the Chinese oil city of Daqing. Japan has clashed with China over the route and construction schedule for the pipeline. Japan is concerned that Russia will prioritise the building of the Chinese segment, delaying Japan's access to Siberian oil.