Reuters: Gazprom sees deal to build pipeline to Britain in 2013

Russia's Gazprom could sign a preliminary deal to extend its export pipelines to Britain next year, a project in which the Russian gas export monopoly has attracted interest from BP, it said.

Gazprom's Chief Executive Alexei Miller said in June the British major was interested in participating in an expanded Nord Stream pipeline which would deliver Russian gas straight to Britain.

At the time, industry sources said BP's interest in Nord Stream brought objections from its partner in TNK-BP, which had insisted on sticking to an obligation to explore business opportunities only in Russia through their joint venture.

But BP and the four tycoons who share control of the No. 3 Russian oil producer agreed to drop that obligation after agreeing to sell TNK-BP to Russian state oil company Rosneft , leaving BP free to pursue new ventures in Russia.  MORE