Total to resolve disputes on Russia’s Shtokman gas field by July
France’s Total plans by the end of June to end all outstanding disputes on the Russian-led Shtokman gas field project in the Barents Sea, CEO Christophe Margerie told reporters Thursday.
Total owns a 25% stake in Shtokman, Norway’s Statoil holds a 24% share, while Russia’s Gazprom controls the remaining shares.
“We are not holding any talks on Total’s withdrawal from Shtokman. We expect to resolve all disputes by the end of the month,” Margerie on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“We are fully satisfied with our 25% stake and have no plans to change the share,” Margerie said, adding that he was unaware of any negotiations to attract a third foreign partner to Shtokman.
Earlier in June, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that new participants may join Shtokman, one of the world’s largest gas deposits, following a possible reduction of stakes held by Statoil and Total. He said that the results of the negotiations are to be announced at the forum.
Gazprom is also to sign a new shareholder agreement with foreign partners as the current one expires on July 1.
ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson reportedly said that the company has not ruled out joining the Shtokman project.
Source: http://www.1prime.biz/
