TNK-BP intends to invest up to USD1.2 billion to replace the pipes in its pipelines between 2013 and 2023 years, said Vice President for safety and environmental protection Elena Kompasenko. As noted in company materials, TNK-BP increased the rate of pipeline decommissioning in Ugra. In particular, in 2012, the company expects to decommission 1.166 thousand kilometers of pipes, in 2013, some 1.282 thousand kilometers, and in 2014, a whole 1.411 thousand kilometers. In addition, Kompasenko noted that the company is implementing a program to ensure the integrity of the pipelines. “The company has developed and implemented a program. We are revising it every year, depending on the existing situation. In 2012, we revised the program and decided to increase the investment to 2.5 million dollars,” she said, adding that this amount will be invested in 2013. Commenting on Natural Resources Minister Sergei Donskoi’s plans to increase fines for oil companies for oil spills, Kompasenko noted that the Minister talked about those companies that hide spillage incidents. “We are a transparent company,” she said. “The tightening of the administrative measures is targeted toward companies that are not compliant with the law to begin with. For our company it does not matter, since we do not hide these facts,” said Kompasenko. Minister Sergei Donskoi said that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment was in favor of a substantial increase in penalties for oil companies for oil spills during production and transportation. He noted that increased penalties should be an impetus for oil companies to invest in the reconstruction of pipelines. One major reason for the spills is the significant wear of the pipelines.