RusEnergy

RBC, 04.10.2006, Moscow 10:27:41.TNK-BP President Robert Dudley refuted the allegations that the company's shareholders from Alfa Group and Access/Renova were holding talks on selling their shares. The 2005 dividends paid in June hit a record high of RUR131bn (approx. USD4.9bn), which was regarded as implicit evidence of the upcoming sale. On November 15 the holding will hold an extraordinary shareholders meeting to decide on the interim dividend payment. Robert Dudley explained that thus TNK-BP was protecting rights of its minority shareholders. He emphasized that the holding's shareholders supported its long-term projects. Also, an increase in investment from $2.5bn to $3-3.4bn is expected in 2007, he added.