The biggest energy firms in Russia and China have come close to finalizing terms on a major gas shipment deal but remain separated by price, Reuters reported. The heads of Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation on Thursday inked an agreement that defines the volumes, start of deliveries, payments, ‘take-or-pay’ amendment” and other issues, Gazprom said in a statement. It gave no further details. Gazprom wants to diversify its customers away from Europe, but China, the world’s top energy user, has proved to be a tough negotiator, demanding a steep discount to prices paid by Western utilities.