The Russian government is ready to extend support to foreign energy firms, in particular Total, which are working in Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Total's President Christophe de Margerie.
"All our main partners - Gazprom, Novatek, Rosneft, Zarubezhneft - are reliable. All that concerns the commercial aspects of deals, which you have effectively done so far, we need to continue on a corporate level. We intend to continue administrative support to increase development of activity on the Russian market," Putin said.
Total has worked with three Russian firms for many years, Putin said, and the company has many opportunities to expand in Russia.
"I won't talk about the huge Shtokman project, there are also other projects for liquified gas. For all that Total is doing, you can count on the full support of the Russian government, and in the future too," Putin said.
Novatek and Total Termokarstovoye B.V. (a Total daughter company) signed adeal in February for creation of a joint venture for exploration and development of the Termokarstovoye gas condensate field located on Russia's northern Yamal Peninsula. The field has estimated reserves of 396.8 million barrels of oil equivalent and 47.3 billion cubic metres of gas.
PARIS, June 11 (RIA Novosti)
