ASSESSMENTS
Russian Energy: Grabbing the Ring
May 29, 2007 | 22:11 GMT
Summary
Consolidation is the catchphrase in the Russian energy industry. The government is aggressively taking back centralized control over the entire sector, and has already completed the reintegration of one-time powerhouses such as Yukos and Sibneft into state structures. The pace of this centralization is about to quicken as power struggles within Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle sharpen factional desires for expansion.