OREANDA-NEWS. July 6, 2007. The Press Service of OJSC “Surgutneftegas” categorically denies any allegations that a press release was issued by the company at 1 a.m. Moscow time (3 a.m. Surgut time) on July 4, 2007.

Before the so-called press release was issued, our site had been blocked by a heavy attack of numerous queries which prevented any further access to the site despite the fact that the server was fully operational. This proves that the action was carefully planned.

The contents of the misleading “press release” and the time when it was distributed point to the fact that the intention of those who are behind it was to try to manipulate western stock markets (in particular, the US market) which could not verify this information due to the time zone difference and make sure it was not some kind of spam.

The market is aware of numerous methods of manipulation, including dirty methods like this. Internet makes it easier to use them because such actions are difficult to investigate.

We declare that the whole “information statement” is false and has been made for an apparent purpose to destabilize the market and take advantage of the situation.