Bolivia says Gazprom, Total to invest $4.5 bln
September 18, 2008 - Reuters

LA PAZ, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Bolivia said on Thursday that Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and France's Total (TOTF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) had committed to invest $4.5 billion in a natural gas project that aims to produce up to 26 million cubic meters per day.

The two companies signed an agreement with Bolivia's state energy company YPFB.

"We are pleased to announce a crucial signal for the energy sector today, with this alliance between Gazprom, Total and YPFB," YPFB President Santos Ramirez said in televised remarks, without giving details on the project's time frame.

(Reporting by Carlos Quiroga; Writing by Hilary Burke; Editing by Marguerita Choy)