MOSCOW, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said the new owners of Yuganskneftegaz have great experience in the energy sector, the Moscow Times said Wednesday.
However, the Russian leader stopped short of disclosing who was behind the mystery shell company that won 10 percent of Yuganskneftegaz, also known as Yugansk, the main oil production unit of the Yukos corporation, the paper said.
"As far as I know, the shareholders of Baikal Finance Group are individuals who have been working in the energy sector for many years," Putin said during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, the paper said.
Putin's remarks were the first time a Russian government official has acknowledged knowing who is behind Sunday's winning bidder, Baikal Finance Group, the Times said. On Monday, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said he had no idea.
Putin indicated that other energy companies could eventually take ownership or management of Yugansk.
"As far as I am informed, (the shareholders) intend to build relations with other energy companies in Russia with interest in this asset," he said, adding that the law allows for "all companies to work with the asset after the sale."
