Lukoil owns more than 400 licences to develop Russian oilfields Russian authorities have demanded information on 398 licences held in the country by oil firm Lukoil -
However, Russian officials deny they are singling out any one firm. According to reports Yukos and TNK-BP have received similar warnings.
"We have requested the information on how Lukoil paid subsoil use and mineral resource taxes on these licences," environment ministry spokesman, Nikolai Gudkov, said.
"The logic is if the taxes are not paid or delayed, it means that there are problems with fulfilling licensing agreements."
But, while analysts claim the move could be an attempt to regain control of the projects, the demands are unlikely to lead to the same kind of battle that eventually led to the collapse of Yukos -