BUSINESS BRIEFS.(TO THE POINT)

ENERGY

Yukos intact until taxes settled

The Russian oil firm is facing a $15 bil sale of key Siberian unit Yugansk this week, but analysts see the giant firm remaining intact until after gov't authorities manage to prove new tax claims. The Russian gov't is currently asking for $3.4 bil in back taxes, but they're poised to ask for $10 bil. The $3.4 bil deadline is Aug. 30. Yukos has only $1.7 bil, hobbled by a law banning the sale of non-core assets to raise money.

** Pogo Producing will pay $189 mil for natural gas properties in New Mexico's San Juan Basin. Shares rose 0.5% to 43.97.

** Reliant Energy will close a Pennsylvania power …