TNK-BP CEO Dudley withstands another removal bid

MOSCOW, July 7 (Reuters) - The chief executive of BP's (BP.L) Russian venture TNK-BP, Robert Dudley, survived on Monday yet another attempt by the Russian co-partners to remove him amid a corporate dispute, but more attempts will follow this week.

The managing unit of TNK-BP, TNK-BP Management, voted "no" on Monday to the Russian co-owners' demand to sack Dudley who they say is responsible for what they see as the firm's poor performance and for favouritism to BP.

The decision was largely expected as three out of five board members of TNK-BP Management have been nominated by Dudley, himself a former employee of BP.

BP and four Russian-connected billionaires have equal 50 percent stakes in Russia's third-largest oil producer but this shareholding is fully reflected only on the board of top parent firm, TNK-BP International, to which TNK-BP Management reports.

TNK-BP International will in turn hold its own board meeting on Friday and the Russians are widely expected to demand BP to accept Dudley's resignation again.

The last board meeting of TNK-BP International with the same agenda had been due to be held on Cyprus in May but it did not take place as the Russians said they did not participate because BP had rejected their demand to remove Dudley.

BP and its Russian partners have been at odds over the firm's strategy and management control since May.

BP defends Dudley saying he acts in the interests of both group of shareholders and the firm's performance compares well to market peers.

The Russian co-owners have promised to use other legal means to limit Dudley's influence as he is already facing a Moscow labour inspection investigation into alleged violations of the use of foreign staff.