Bob Dudley, chief executive at TNK-BP, was today granted a temporary 10-day reprieve from his visa difficulties and said he was confident he would be allowed to stay in Russia.

Russia’s Federal Migration Service approved a “transitional” visa for Mr Dudley, allowing him to stay in the country until July 27.

He has until then for approval of a long-term work permit to be approved but expressed confidence that it would be.

“Over the next 10 days I will answer questions surrounding the labour terms of my contract and I’m optimistic this will be resolved,” Mr Dudley said, during a visit to the building of Moscow’s migration service. “They were being very cooperative today.”

Mr Dudley has become a key target for four Russian billionaires who are seeking to dislodge him from his position as they struggle with BP for control of Russia’s third largest producer of crude.

The Russian shareholders claim his contract expired at the end of 2007 and has never been renewed but Dudley says he has a legitimate, valid contract.

Both AAR, the billionaire’s investment consortium, and BP own 50 per cent of TNK-BP.

AAR has accused Mr Dudley of acting solely in the interests of BP - an allegation firmly rejected by the British oil giant.

TNK-BP has been subjected to a campaign of unexplained raids, tax probes and environmental investigations.

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