The Russian-British joint venture TNK-BP is embroiled in a shareholder conflict in which BP and its Russian billionaire co-owners have clashed over strategy, management and control of the company.
"It is clear right now that the applications will not be approved within the time limits required to receive work permits and visas, which will force foreign specialists at TNK-BP to leave Russia upon the expiry of their current visas [on July 30]," Vladimir Buyanov said.
The BP representative added that the absence of these specialists even for a short period of time could considerably affect the company's commitments to boost oil output and other obligations to Russia.
The Russian AAR consortium of billionaires and the British oil major each own 50% of TNK-BP.
