According to the company's press-service, Gazprom's decision on foreign companies' bids reflects its strategy towards the diversification of markets and outlets, along with its targets.
Nine foreign companies have submitted their bids to develop the field, including three American companies (Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil), two Norwegian ones (Hydro and Statoil), two Japanese enterprises (Mitsui and Sumitomo Corporation), France's Total and Shell from the Netherlands. Sempra Energy from the U.S. is bidding for trade contracts to supply natural gas from the field abroad.
The development project of the Shtokmanovskoye field in the Barents Sea, 550 km north-east of the Kola Peninsula, at a 280-300 meter depth, will cost $10 billion, according to experts.
