Gazprom Neft plans to make NIS an energy leader

MOSCOW - The Gazprom Neft management, headed by CEO Alexander Dyukov, and Russia's Minister of Energy Alexander Novak have presented in Moscow to Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic development and investment plans for the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) aimed at making the company an energy leader in the Balkan region.

"Gazprom Neft is ready to enter into certain energy projects if Serbia, as a partner in NIS, has an interest in it also becoming an energy company," Antic told Tanjug on Thursday.

Antic said that both sides believe that strengthening NIS - in which Serbia has a 30-percent stake - is their common interest.

Antic, who was attending a congress of oil companies from around the world, said that a snapshot of open issues and debts was made at Thursday's meeting with the Gazprom Neft management, with particular focus on the debts of Srbijagas and the Pancevo petrochemical plant for fuel supplies.

Antic noted that the Russian side showed great understanding for Serbia due to the recent massive floods in the country.

The pace of resolving open issues with Russian partners will be suited to the overall economic situation in Serbia, which is trying to rebuild in the wake of the catastrophic floods, Antic pointed out.

Antic said that a series of bilateral meetings are scheduled for Friday - first with Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak and then with the management of Lukoil, a company that is also present on the Serbian market.

During the day, the minister will also meet with the management of Siloviye Mashini, a company tasked with key overhauls at the Djerdap hydropower plant on the River Danube.

Overhauls of hydropower plants must be expedited...