16 Apr 2012 21:41

Putin orders tax breaks for offshore oil, gas projects - deputy PM

NOVO-OGARYOVO, near Moscow. April 16 (Interfax) - Prime Minister and President-elect Vladimir Putin has ordered tax breaks for companies developing Russian offshore oil and gas fields, a deputy premier said.

"The prime minister of the Russian Federation has already signed a directive on basic forms of support for deposits that are on continental shelves, which include exemption from duties and other stimulatory measures," Igor Sechin told reporters.

Sechin said there would be four categories of difficulty for offshore projects based on climatic, geographical and other criteria.