BP PLC (BP) is in early talks with the OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS)-led Nord Stream pipeline consortium, that ships Russian natural gas into Europe , over an extension of the link to carry the gas straight into the U.K. , a spokesman said Sunday.

BP has long been interested in the pipeline extension but has been unable to strike a deal due to a provision in the shareholder agreement with its oligarch partners in the Russian TNK-BP Holding (TNBP.RS) joint venture, which said the company could only explore opportunities in Russia through TNK-BP.

But BP's recent agreement to sell its 50% stake in the venture to Russia's OAO Rosneft (ROSN.RS) coupled with the oligarchs' agreement to also sell its share has released BP to pursue new ventures in Russia. The Rosneft deal to buy BP's TNK-BP stake is expected to close in the first half of next year.

The talks also come as the U.K. government is seeking to bolster its energy security by diversifying its gas imports as domestic North Sea output declines. In the past year, the British government has realigned its energy policy to encourage the construction of more gas-fired power stations while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and wants to ensure there is enough supply for the plants.

"BP has had some discussions looking at the commercial and technical aspects of the project, but it's at a very preliminary stage," the spokesman said, but gave no further details.

The Nord Stream consortium includes Gazprom, BASF SE (BAS.XE) subsidiary Wintershall Holding GmbH, E.ON AG (EOAN.XE) unit E.ON Ruhrgas AG, N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie and GDF SUEZ SA (GSZ.FR).

Nord Stream consists of two 1,224-kilometer natural gas pipelines that connect Russia 's vast gas reserves with markets in Europe . The pipelines cross the Baltic Sea to terminate in Germany and have combined total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters a year.

BP would be interested in extending the pipeline from Germany into the U.K.

A British newspaper report said Sunday that the pipeline could be delivering the gas into the U.K. by 2016.

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