Shelf for your own

Bogdanchikov invites only Russian companies to offshore fields

Difficult to develop offshore oil and gas fields, apparently, will be developed only by structures close to the state. Yesterday, Rosneft President Sergei Bogdanchikov said in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk that he would like to see Russian companies among his partners in shelf development, and even listed them: “In Sakhalin projects, all countries are represented among our partners - potential major consumers of oil and petroleum products : India, China, Korea, Japan. But among our partners in Sakhalin projects there are no serious Russian companies. And if Gazprom comes to some project - our project or a new one - we will be only happy, just as we will be happy with Surgutneftegaz and LUKOIL.” The head of Rosneft explained his desire only with standard phrases that the development of the shelf requires huge one-time costs and the company cannot cope with such deposits alone.

Mr. Bogdanchikov’s words sound quite unexpected, since previously, when developing complex offshore projects, the company preferred to work with foreign capital. Rosneft participates in eight offshore projects in Russia, and only in one of them - Temryuk-Astakh - on a parity basis with LUKOIL (the companies each own 42.5%, the rest belongs to the administration of the Krasnodar Territory). In the only offshore project, Sakhalin-1, which has reached peak production, Rosneft owns only 20% of the shares, the rest is distributed between the American Exxon Neftegaz, the Japanese Sodeco and the Indian ONGC. Rosneft is developing other areas as the main shareholder. In addition, until recently, Rosneft, fulfilling the political task of strengthening economic ties, was actively establishing relations with Chinese and Indian state-owned oil companies. At the same time, the Indians immediately declared their interest in the areas located within the framework of the Sakhalin-3 project. Rosneft says that so far there are no specific negotiations with these companies on shelf development. Mr. Bogdanchikov himself, in a conversation with journalists, only reported that Rosneft remained interested in another block of Sakhalin-3 - Kirinsky.

LUKOIL notes that although there is “a constant dialogue between the companies,” no specific projects are being developed yet. Nevertheless, Mr. Bogdanchikov’s statement found a response in the company of Vagit Alekperov. “LUKOIL is ready to enter offshore fields as part of a consortium with the participation of a state-owned company,” the company’s press service noted. - Foreign companies so far agree to work only on preferential PSA terms, and they are only interested in obtaining maximum profits. Our companies also think about the state interest, plus they will be able to provide additional revenue to the budget. And the participation of a state company can help obtain more favorable lending conditions.”

Last December, the government discussed the option of combining the efforts of Gazprom, Rosneft and Zarubezhneft to develop the Russian shelf. But so far no concrete steps have been taken in this direction, and officials say that this is just one of the possible options. So far, only one thing is clear: all offshore projects will be declared strategic and foreign companies will not be able to independently gain access to them. Yesterday, Mr. Bogdanchikov rejected all hints about dividing the shelf between Gazprom and Rosneft. “Two economic entities cannot divide what belongs to the state. We do not yet know what decision the state will make in this matter. There are several versions, if I’m not mistaken, four,” he said.

In exchange for the shelf, foreigners are offered participation in the construction of oil refineries. As Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari said yesterday, Japanese companies have received an offer from Rosneft to “take part in the distribution and production of petroleum products,” according to yesterday’s press release from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Energy, the head of which Viktor Khristenko is currently in Japan on a visit . The Russian minister clarified that we are talking about the construction of an oil refinery at the end of the oil pipeline from Eastern Siberia to the Pacific coast, which until now Rosneft had intended to build independently. According to him, this proposal is “absolutely correct” and the state will support it. Mr. Khristenko invited Japanese companies “to take part in the implementation of this project,” the Ministry of Industry and Energy said in a statement. The Rosneft press service declined to comment yesterday.

Anna GORSHKOVA