Orlen and PGNiG join forces in Kazakhstan

Orlen alone is willing to spend USD 100 million a year in the search for oil. The companies want to become independent from Russian supplies - so far Orlen has been buying there 95% of its oil, while PGNiG 45% of its gas. Co-operation with Kazakhstan may be difficult, as recently the Kazak government begun to follow Russia's footsteps and has taken over shares of oil companies, and Orlen defeated a Kazak company in acquiring Lithunia's Możejki refinery. Nevertheless, Orlen will open an office in Kazakhstan in August. Orlen and PGNiG are also going to invest in the construction of an LNG terminal in Poland, which will cost EUR 400 million. (Dziennik, July 15-16, p.13) J.L.