Russia to finish first stage of Asia oil pipeline

Russia will next week complete construction of the first stage of a pipeline that will carry oil to Asia and the Pacific, including the 15 million tonnes a year to be supplied to China in exchange for a $25 billion loan.

Oil pipeline monopoly Transneft has laid 2,672 km (1,670 miles) of the route, leaving only 21 km of the first stage remaining, company spokesman Igor Dyomin said on Monday.
Reuters