Russian Oil Retail to Grow

Tatneft have decided to focus on the retail market of petroleum products. Representatives of Tatneft reported that in 2004 the company would increase the number of its gasoline stations in Russia almost by 30% to 450. According to analysts, such expansion is justified and expectable. Tatneft needs a large retail chain as a protection from possible decrease of oil prices and for increase of sales of petroleum products produced by its refineries. This step is justified despite that until recently the costs of gasoline stations chain development of Tatneft were higher than those of competitors. Experts expect that Tatneft will not encounter serious obstacles because development of its gasoline stations chains will not infringe on the interests of other large players in the market.