Problems with liquidity could delay the Shtokman gas field project, the chief executive of the Shtokman Development joint venture, Yuri Komarov, said Monday.

Problems with liquidity could delay the Shtokman gas field project, the chief executive of the Shtokman Development joint venture, Yuri Komarov, said Monday.

"One of the most significant questions is the liquidity in the financial market and the possibilities of attracting credit. This is one of the most serious issues, which will determine the start of the (Shtokman) project," Komarov said, without giving further details.

Russian gas monopoly OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) holds 51% of the Shtokman Development joint venture, which is developing the Barents Sea gas field. France's Total SA (TOT) and Norway's StatoilHydro (STO) have 25% and 24% stakes in the venture respectively.