THE HAGUE, May 6 (RIA Novosti) - GasTerra (formerly Gasunie Trade & Supply), which buys wholesale natural gas, primarily from Dutch fields, then wholesales it throughout Western Europe, hopes to strengthen its ties with Russia at the XII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2008 and to develop cooperation for the development of the Yamal offshore fields, said Gertjan J. Lankhorst, the company's CEO.
Lankhorst said he intends to strengthen and develop ties with Russian colleagues at the forum, adding that partners should understand each other's needs and desires.
"The forum convenes decision-makers from the West and Russia, which is highly important in light of current global developments and the interests of different players," Lankhorst said.
The Dutch company is focused on the Yamal fields and research cooperation.
"As GasTerra's CEO, I would like to get information about cooperation for the development of the Yamal fields and in the sphere of research and education," he said.
Last year, Russia's Industry and Energy Ministry received offers of the joint development of offshore deposits on the Yamal Peninsula, a strategic region for Russia's energy giant Gazprom, from several Dutch companies, including Royal Dutch/Shell, Gasunie, Essent and GasTerra.
There are 26 explored fields on the peninsula, with prospected gas reserves assessed at 367.12 trillion cubic feet.
Lankhorst said the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the development of the Yamal deposits, and energy security were among the key issues.
Energy is the basis of the world's welfare and prosperity, he said.
"First, we need energy to maintain high economic standards and raise them in the largest possible number of countries. Second, energy is the foundation for the world's new future. We can use it to alleviate possible negative consequences of climate change provoked by global warming," the CEO said. "Energy consumption could be a reason for the warming, but it is also key to solving the problem."
"The Netherlands, in particular GasTerra, has accumulated vast knowledge and commercial know-how in the marketing of natural gas. GasTerra is prepared to share this knowledge and has co-founded a special institution, the Energy Delta Institute (EDI) for this purpose," Lankhorst said.
He said his company's cooperation with Gazprom was highly successful.
"The 20-year cooperation contract we signed ten years ago is evidence of the relations benefiting our two companies," he said.
"GasTerra wants above all to carry on our successful relations just as they are now," the businessman said.
"The Netherlands has gas, but its reserves are diminishing. Gas is widely used in the country, and will continue to play a leading role as the source of energy for a long time yet," he said.
"Gas imports from other countries will continue to facilitate stable gas consumption in the future. Russia is one of the countries supplying gas to the Netherlands, and experience leads us to believe that we should maintain these relations in future too," Lankhorst concluded.
RIA Novosti is a general information partner of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
