In June, BP's Russian joint-venture TNK-BP Holding (TNBP.RS) signed a preliminary agreement to sell its 62.8% stake in the Kovykta gas project to Gazprom. But the deadline for the finalization of the deal has slipped from Dec. 1 to the first quarter of 2008.
In a press release posted on its Web site late Monday, Gazprom said its chairman Alexey Miller and BP chief executive Tony Hayward discussed the topic during a meeting that day.
"The parties addressed issues with regard to cooperation development in international energy markets," the press release said. "Emphasis was also put on the progress with the preparation of the deals embracing Gazprom's acquisition" of the stake, it added.