KIEV, Jan. 15 - The Ukrainian government and its partners from China are discussing the construction of an oil refinery in Kherson or Odessa region, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytsky told reporters in Kiev.

"In Kherson region [construction could be done] on the basis of the former oil refinery: there is an owner there, and he is a party in these negotiations. In Odessa region there is a new site," he said.

Stavytsky added that investment in the construction of a refinery could be $1.5-2 billion.