Witness Testimony Summary: Nikolai Belyayevskiy
Bio:
Mr. Belyayevskiy worked at YUKOS from 1997 to 2007, most of that time at Yukos-EP where he headed a section in charge of crude oil extraction.
Testimony Dates:
Testimony Summary:
Mr. Belyayevskiy testified that his department controlled crude oil extraction and related technological processes at all YUKOS production subsidiaries. Yukos-EP employed numerous professionals, geologists, planners and managers.
Mr. Belyayevskiy testified that he was entrusted to sign crude oil contracts on behalf of the YUKOS production subsidiaries. While he did not follow-up on what happened after the contracts were signed, Mr. Belyayevskiy testified that if the contract parties did not perform their duties, it would have meant that crude oil was missing from reservoirs. This was not the case.
On cross-examination Mr. Belyayevskiy explained that crude oil production companies - Yuganskneftegaz, Samaraneftegaz and Tomskneft - extract liquid containing oil, salt, water and gas. Mr. Belyayevskiy explained the process of crude oil extraction, spending time on one of the methods used - pumping water into the ground to create pressure. Each company's liquid had different water content - a percentage of water contained per unit of extracted liquid. He explained that the longer a well was used and water was being pumped, the water-content percentage would increase.
Mr. Belyayevskiy testified about instances of known pipeline breaches and illegal siphoning off of crude oil. These happened with all companies, not only with YUKOS. Mr. Belyayevskiy testified that Yukos-EP had a section in charge of keeping track of man-made and ecological pipeline failures. According to Mr. Belyayevskiy, data was collected and the proper authorities were notified.
Mr. Belyayevskiy testified that he was never pressured to sign any documents. Furthermore, he would not have signed any documents that were not vetted by the appropriate departments or that would have violated any company regulations. Mr. Belyayevskiy proudly explained to the court that throughout his career he learned to pay the utmost attention to details and to follow regulations.