Bashneft interested in Rosneft's offer for offshore operations - Shamolin
MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - OJSC Bashneft , which is part of AFK Sistema , is interested in OJSC Rosneft's offer for operations in Russia's offshore zone, Sistema president Mikhail Shamolin told journalists.
"We are interested in this proposal and have already confirmed our interest. Our specialists are now studying all information. I think that two to three months is necessary in order to give a more concise response," he said.
Rosneft earlier sent Russian oil companies letters with offers to operate in offshore projects. According to Rosneft president Eduard Khudainatov, the terms offered for operating in all of Rosneft's offshore projects are the same as those presented to U.S. company Exxon. The offer was made for 12 Russian offshore sections, including the former "grey zone" of the Barents Sea, Magadan, and other regions.
Exxon owns 33.5% in projects in Russia with Rosneft. ExxonMobil will likely finance operations during the geological exploration period.
So far, only OJSC Lukoil has officially approved its interest in joint operations with Rosneft in the Russian shelf.
