BP and its Russian partners in TNK-BP could have an outline agreement about how to restructure the management of the company by the time the Russian oil company’s board meets at the end of September, but a detailed accord is expected to take longer.

At stake, at the very least, is the management structure of the company and who will fill the position of Bob Dudley, TNK-BP chief executive, who last month fled Russia citing systematic harassment and has since been barred from running the company by a Moscow court.