SOCAR, BP Expanding Ties

Azeri state energy company SOCAR is expected to increase its share in a new production sharing agreement with oil major BP for the development of the country's biggest oilfields, two industry sources familiar with the content of talks on the deal told Reuters. "According to preliminary information, SOCAR will increase its share at the expense of a share reduction of other companies, including BP," an industry source, who is aware of the content of negotiations, told Reuters. Another industry source, who also is familiar with the content of the talks and did not want to be named, said SOCAR's share in a new contract could be increased to 20% from the current 11.6%, while BP's share could be reduced to 30% from the current 35.8%. "The shares of some other companies might be also reduced," the source said. The figures in the final contract might still change, the source said. A spokeswoman for BP in Azerbaijan said: "We don't have information on the content of the contract now."