Transneft fights back: the pipeline operator still hopes to win the battle over routes to supply Russian crude to Asia-Pacific markets.

Transneft president Semyon Vainshtok is manoeuvring to ensure his company retains a leading role in Russian crude supplies to the Asia-Pacific region.

Vainshtok is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin to argue once again the case for a proposed $6bn pipeline from Angarsk in eastern Siberia to the Russian Pacific port of Nakhodka. But Vainshtok--who used to have monthly meetings with Putin--has been waiting for an audience with the president since October, Transneft sources say.

Government sources have already indicated that Putin favours a rival proposal running from Angarsk to Daqing in China, on the grounds that it is cheaper. They also suggest that …