Polish companies among those to benefit from Gazprom's gas generosity

Russian oil and gas giant Gazprom is reported to have lost $144 million between 1998 and 2001 by selling gas on favorable terms to regional gas companies including Overgaz International of Bulgaria, Progressgas Trading of Yugoslavia, and Poland's Gas Trading. According to a report on Moscow television quoted by Rzeczpospolita, the losses were revealed during an internal audit of Gazprom affiliate Gazexport. A Gazprom source also revealed that Polish company Bartimpex bought cut-price gas from Gazprom, and was in some instances permitted to delay payment, sometimes for up to six months. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) A.Z.