TNK-BP oil workers to leave Russia temporarily

Energy company BP said Thursday that more than 30 foreign staff at troubled oil producer TNK-BP will have to leave Russia by the end of the month to renew their visas.

The departures loom as TNK-BP remains locked in a visa dispute with the Russian authorities, after one of TNK-BP’s Russian executives asked the authorities in early April to reduce the number of work permits for foreigners at the company.

TNK-BP, a 50-50 joint venture between BP and a group of Russia investors, has been rocked by a bitter corporate battle between the shareholders over strategy and the number of BP employees at the venture.

CanadianPress