Russ Oil-Gas

04/15/2009 - OFFSHORE - MOSCOW, Russia - Gazprom is pursuing further E&P opportunities in offshore blocks off eastern Russia. During a recent forum on the country's energy requirements, Nail Gafarov, deputy head of Gazprom's Gas, Gas Condensate and Oil Production Department, said the company was preparing geological exploration programs for the Kamchatka Krai region and offshore Sakhalin Island. He added that further to decisions made by the Russian Federation Government in Vladivostok last September, Gazprom had submitted applications to Rosnedra for the right to use subsurface resources. These related to the Kirinsky, Vostochno-Odoptinksy and Aiyashsky blocks of the Sakhalin III project, and the Zapadno-Kamchatsky area of the Okhotsk Sea, with the long-term aim of producing gas in these regions. Viktor Timoshilov, Head of the Eastern Projects Coordination Directorate, said that integrated state support was necessary for development of the gas industry in eastern Russia. In particular, this should take the form of: - Timely licensing of subsurface resources – mainly for the Sakhalin III and Zapadno-Kamchatsky area blocks - Streamlining of taxes on eastern Russia's gas industry - A regulatory framework for trunkline gas transport - Gas market development stimulation measures. In a separate meeting at the company's headquarters, representatives of Gazprom and ConocoPhillips discussed prospects for co-operation on projects, particularly in the LNG sector. Discussions focussed on Arctic areas, including potential exploration offshore Alaska.