Russian gas giant OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) may invite international oil majors such as ConocoPhillips (COP) and Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) to jointly develop gas projects in the country's Arctic region, the company said Tuesday.
Gazprom is considering production of liquified natural gas, or LNG, in the arctic Yamal region, but hopes to attract partners to share the financial and technical challenges.
U.S. oil majors ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil are on a list of possible partners, Gazprom said.
Monday, Chief Executive of ConocoPhillips, Jim Mulva, held talks with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller in Moscow to discuss joint projects, in particular in Alaska.
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB) said in June it had been shortlisted by Gazprom for one of the potential gas projects in Yamal.
French oil major Total SA (TOT) has also expressed interest in a further joint venture in Russia, after the company was chosen as a junior partner in developing the Shtokman field, one of the world's largest gas deposits, located in the Barents Sea.
U.S. majors like Chevron Corp. (CVX) and ConocoPhillips were on the short list of foreign companies Gazprom was considering as partners for the Shtokman project.
Instead, Total and Norway's StatoilHydro (STA) were chosen as partners, holding 25% and 24% stakes respectively. Gazprom holds a 51% controlling stake.