April 25, 2012　Rosneft

Rosneft and Eni Join Forces to Explore Fields in the Barents and Black Seas

•  Agreement in principle reached on joint exploration of Barents and Black Sea blocks
•  Companies to exchange technology and personnel
•  Agreement reached on Rosneft participating in Eni’s international projects

Rosneft and Eni today signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to jointly explore fields in Russian sections of the Black and Barents Seas and exchange technology and staff. The agreement also envisages Rosneft’s participation in Eni’s international projects.

The agreement, signed by Rosneft President Eduard Khudainatov and Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni, envisages cooperation between the parties to set up a joint venture to explore the Fedynsky and Central Barents fields in the Barents Sea and the Western Chernomorsky field in the Black Sea. Eni will hold 33.33% in the joint project. The agreement stipulates that Eni will finance comprehensive geological exploration work to confirm the commercial value of the fields.

The deposits are estimated to hold total recoverable resources of 36 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The Barents Sea fields are very promising due to their proximity to an offshore area in Norway in which at least three large fields have been discovered in recent years. Seismic data and the recent discovery of hydrocarbons in the Romanian section of the Black Sea mean it is highly likely that oil and gas will be found at the Western Chernomorsky field.

The key factor that prompted the companies to sign the agreement was the steps taken by the Government of the Russian Federation to introduce tax incentives for offshore production, including cancelling export duties and introducing a reduced Mineral Extraction Tax rate of 5-15% depending on project complexity. The government also offered guarantees that the favourable tax regime will remain in place for a prolonged period of time.

Technology exchange is a key element of the strategic partnership. Eni’s technological contribution to the joint venture is expected to be significant given the company’s extensive offshore experience in Norway and other countries.
In addition, the agreement anticipates a programme of staff exchanges at all levels. This will strengthen relationships between the companies and help share management experience.

The agreement also envisages Rosneft’s participation in Eni’s international projects.

Rosneft President Eduard Khudainatov said: “The comprehensive agreement signed today is further proof that Rosneft is committed to doing business with world-class majors that have offshore production expertise, cutting-edge technologies and are ready to invest in long-term hi-tech projects in Russia. I strongly believe that our partnership will help boost the two companies’ resource base and capitalisation.”

Notes for editors

The Fedynsky block covers an area of 38,000 square kilometres in the ice-free southern part of the Barents Sea. Sea depth at the block varies from 200 to 320 metres. 2D seismic uncovered 9 promising formations holding total recoverable hydrocarbon resources of 18.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent. To comply with license conditions, 6,500 kilometres of 2D seismic must be carried out at the Fedynsky block before 2017 and 1,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic by 2018. First exploration well should be drilled before 2020, and, if successful, second exploration well is to be drilled by 2025.

The Central Barents block adjoins Fedynsky to the north. Sea depth here varies from 160 to 300 metres. Earlier seismic work at the block identified 3 promising formations holding total recoverable hydrocarbon resources of more than 7 billion barrels of oil equivalent. 3,200 kilometres of 2D seismic are to be performed by 2016 and 1,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic by 2018. First exploration well is to be drilled by 2021, and if successful, second exploration well is to be drilled by 2026.

The Western Chernomorsky block in the Black Sea is the third area to be jointly explored. The block covers an area of 8,600 square kilometres at a sea depth ranging from 600 to 2,250 metres. Rosneft has carried out seismic works to study the area in its entirety and identified 6 promising formations holding total recoverable resources of approximately 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Two exploration wells are to be drilled in 2015-2016 in line with license conditions.

2012/4/26  日本経済新聞

ロスネフチ、伊ＥＮＩと提携で合意　北極海開発が本格化

ロシア石油最大手の国営ロスネフチと、イタリアの国営石油企業であるイタリア炭化水素公社（ＥＮＩ）は25日、北極海や黒海での資源開発で提携することに合意した。ロスネフチは米石油最大手エクソンモービルとも北極海で共同資源開発を計画。豊富な天然資源が見込まれる北極海は沿岸国のほか中国なども関心を持っており、開発競争が強まりそうだ。

　ロスネフチとＥＮＩは同日、北極海のバレンツ海と黒海で資源開発を進める合弁企業を設立する合意文書に署名した。合弁企業の出資比率はロスネフチが66.7％、ＥＮＩが33.3％となる。

　開発対象となる海域の可採埋蔵量は、原油換算で約360億バレル。ロスネフチのフダイナトフ社長は記者会見で、合弁企業の投資総額は1250億ドル（約10兆円）に達するとの見通しを示した。

　モスクワ郊外での調印式にはロシアのプーチン首相も出席し、「ロシア政府として開発案件への支援を約束する」と述べた。

　ロスネフチは今月16日、米エクソンモービルと北極海と黒海での資源開発を進める合弁２社を設立することで合意したばかり。欧米石油大手との提携をテコに、巨額の投資資金と技術が必要となる海底油田の開発を本格的に進める。

　ロシア政府も世界トップの原油生産量を維持するため、北極海での資源開発を後押しする構え。プーチン首相は北極海を対象に、原油の輸出税や採掘税を優遇する方針を打ち出した。

　ロスネフチはＥＮＩが主導する北アフリカや米アラスカ州、北欧などの開発案件に参加することも可能になる。欧米メジャーとの提携を進める背景には、海外での油田などの権益取得につなげる思惑もある。

　北極海の海底は石油や天然ガスなどが豊富とされる。温暖化で海氷が縮小するなか、今後確定する排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）の線引き次第では沿岸国にも属さない海域ができる可能性もある。

　今月には中国の温家宝首相が、北極海の開発で主導権を握る北極評議会（ＡＣ）のメンバー国であるアイスランドを訪問し、開発協力で一致。ＡＣのメンバー国であるロシアや米国、カナダは警戒感を示している。