Russian pipeline again in doubt

The future of an oil
pipeline from Angarsk in eastern Siberia to Daqing, Heilongjiang province, appeared to be
in doubt again after a visit to Russia by a Japanese delegation lobbying for a rival plan that
would have the pipeline terminating at the Russian far-eastern port of Nakhoda,
Washington Post reported. President Vladamir Putin of Russia, who signed the deal for the
Chinese pipeline during President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia in May. said that the line to
Nakhoda – from where the oil would be shipped to Japan would be preferable if it were
economically viable and that a line to China, if one were necessary. could be added as a
branch line.
However, industry analysts quoted by the newspaper said that the
costs of the rival projects and the preparatory work already tindertaken gave the advantage
to the Chinese proposal. and that they expected the line to Daqing would be chosen in the
end.