ST. PETERSBURG, June 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko hailed the participation of private companies in oil transportation and said that it was necessary to reduce the tax burden in the oil sphere.
"Private companies should invest in oil transportation. Russia has two times as many private pipelines than state ones," the minister told journalists.
Private companies are also welcome to join the construction of pipelines to transport oil to the state-run network, he said. Accordingly, they can cover risks with the help of the state.
At the same time, this cooperation will let Russia develop new oil fields, particularly, in East Siberia, Khristenko said.
The reduction of the tax burden will promote the survey of new fields, he added.
