Gazprom Reported Plotting Bolivia Venture

Russia’s Gazprom is in talks with the Bolivian government to link up with YPFB, the national oil and gas company, in an exploration deal heard at $2bn, according to the FT. Russian officials reportedly acknowledged the talks, but they declined to pin a figure on the investment, saying it was too early to discuss. Bolivia has developed an interesting relationship with foreign investors and even nationalized the tin assets of Glencore last year. Still, despite a less than desirable renegotiation of ownership terms on hydrocarbon assets last year, a handful of oil and gas companies remain in the country, including Petrobras and BP, providing expertise needed to operate the country’s gas exploration efforts.