Rosneft may develop Black Sea self jointly with Abkhazia.

17/10 Tass 101


SUKHUM, October 17 (Itar-Tass) -- The Rosneft Company is ready not
only to sell petrol in Abkhazia, but to participate in the joint
development of the Black Sea shelf and to make investments in the republic.
"Rosneft has already invested about ten million dollars in the
construction of filling stations," the company's CEO Eduard Khudainatov
said.
Over the opening of the filling stations in Abkhazia, Rosneft's
payments to Abkhazia's tax budget made 60 million roubles, he added.
Rosneft, in partnership with Abkhazia's authorities, has invested in
the republic and now is "ready to report on results," Khudainatov said.
"The seismic analysis of the Black Sea shelf is being checked now, and
our company chooses not just to sell petrol, but to invest in the
development and join exploration and processing and selling," he said.
"This would be our integrated involvement."

-0-kar