Putin, launching US-Russia oil project, touts 'pragmatism' AFP August 9, 2014 10:29 AM Russia's President Vladimir Putin takes part a video conference with the Arctic oil drilling platform 'West Alpha' from his Bocharov Ruchei residence outside Sochi, on August 9, 2014 . View photo Russia's President Vladimir Putin takes part a video conference with the Arctic oil drilling platform 'West Alpha' from his Bocharov Ruchei residence outside Sochi, on August 9, 2014 (AFP Photo/Alexey Druzhinin) Moscow (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin said Russia is still open for business with Western companies despite sanctions as he ceremonially launched a joint US-Russian oil exploration project in the Arctic. Related Stories Russia's UK envoy: Western sanctions over Ukraine illegal and harmful Reuters Russian tourists stranded abroad as crisis deepens Associated Press AP Analysis: Putin cornered over Ukraine Associated Press Putin orders import limits over sanctions Associated Press Lavrov says Russia will not respond in kind to Western sanctions Reuters "Despite the difficulties of today's political context, pragmatism and common sense prevail, and that is very satisfying," Putin said as state-owned Rosneft and US oil giant ExxonMobil began exploring for oil in the Kara Sea off the northern coast of Siberia. "We welcome of course and we are open for expanding our cooperation with our partners," Putin was said in a video link to the West Alpha oil rig, Russian news agencies reported. He was speaking just days after he ordered a ban on most food imports from the European Union and United States in response to Western sanctions over Ukraine that target several sectors of the Russian economy including its critical oil industry. "Businesses, including major domestic and foreign firms, understand very well the necessity of cooperation," Putin said. Russian analysts have said Putin needed to respond to Western sanctions for domestic reasons, while Moscow had expressed hope for a resolution of the Ukraine impasse. The Western sanctions imposed for Russia's annexation of Crimea and alleged support for rebels in eastern Ukraine target Arctic oil projects in particular, which require Western cooperation and equipment to develop new wells as production from existing fields declines. Government officials have said the existing project, Russia's northernmost attempt to find oil, does not fall under the sanctions. "ExxonMobil is an old partner and we value our relationship," Putin said. Rosneft chief Igor Sechin said he hopes the Kara Sea will end up rivalling Alaska's north slope and even Saudi Arabia. Sechin has said the Kara Sea could hold some 100 billion barrels of oil, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported. Exploratory drilling is expected to continue until the end of October when the sea freezes up. According to ExxonMobil, the conventional well will be in a water depth of roughly 80 metres (200 feet) and be sunk to approximately 2,350 metres.

Putin, launching US-Russia oil project, touts 'pragmatism'

 

August 9, 2014 10:29 AM

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View photo

Russia's President Vladimir Putin takes part a video conference with the Arctic oil drilling platform 'West Alpha' from his Bocharov Ruchei residence outside Sochi, on August 9, 2014 (AFP Photo/Alexey Druzhinin)

Moscow (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin said Russia is still open for business with Western companies despite sanctions as he ceremonially launched a joint US-Russian oil exploration project in the Arctic.

Related Stories

• Russia's UK envoy: Western sanctions over Ukraine illegal and harmful Reuters
• Russian tourists stranded abroad as crisis deepensAssociated Press
• AP Analysis: Putin cornered over UkraineAssociated Press
• Putin orders import limits over sanctions Associated Press
• Lavrov says Russia will not respond in kind to Western sanctions Reuters

"Despite the difficulties of today's political context, pragmatism and common sense prevail, and that is very satisfying," Putin said as state-owned Rosneft and US oil giant ExxonMobil began exploring for oil in the Kara Sea off the northern coast of Siberia.

"We welcome of course and we are open for expanding our cooperation with our partners," Putin was said in a video link to the West Alpha oil rig, Russian news agencies reported.

He was speaking just days after he ordered a ban on most food imports from the European Union and United States in response to Western sanctions over Ukraine that target several sectors of the Russian economy including its critical oil industry.

"Businesses, including major domestic and foreign firms, understand very well the necessity of cooperation," Putin said.

Russian analysts have said Putin needed to respond to Western sanctions for domestic reasons, while Moscow had expressed hope for a resolution of the Ukraine impasse.

The Western sanctions imposed for Russia's annexation of Crimea and alleged support for rebels in eastern Ukraine target Arctic oil projects in particular, which require Western cooperation and equipment to develop new wells as production from existing fields declines.

Government officials have said the existing project, Russia's northernmost attempt to find oil, does not fall under the sanctions.

"ExxonMobil is an old partner and we value our relationship," Putin said.

Rosneft chief Igor Sechin said he hopes the Kara Sea will end up rivalling Alaska's north slope and even Saudi Arabia.

Sechin has said the Kara Sea could hold some 100 billion barrels of oil, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported.

Exploratory drilling is expected to continue until the end of October when the sea freezes up.

According to ExxonMobil, the conventional well will be in a water depth of roughly 80 metres (200 feet) and be sunk to approximately 2,350 metres.  YAHOONEWS