KIEV, May 31 – Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko asked the SBU security service to go after reporters that broke the story of Ukraine overpaying $150 million on an oil rig, a story that may highlight a massive case of government corruption.

Boyko, who apparently masterminded the deal, alleged the story may have been “ordered” by unnamed competitors seeking to derail Ukraine’s efforts to start offshore extraction of oil and gas.