The Shtokman project "has a very good future, and a second breath now," Dmitry Medvedev, who is also a first deputy prime minister, told a RIA Novosti news conference, commenting on Gazprom's approval of Total as a partner to develop the field.
"It is quite clear that in view of global significance and size of reserves the Shtokman field is unique. Of course, Gazprom could have handled this work itself. But why? It is better for the costs, risks and profits to be shared with partners who are materially and technologically ready to play a role in the project," Medvedev said.
He did not rule out admitting other companies as partners or subcontractors in the $30-billion project to develop the field, with estimated reserves of 3.7 trillion cubic meters, set to supply the Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
"Could someone else emerge? Yes. Of course the list of potential players is short because we should be looking at ... large companies well-known on the marketplace," he said.
Last year Gazprom turned down Shtokman partnership offers from Total, U.S. ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil, and Norway's Norsk Hydro and Statoil, and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said the Russia would develop the field on its own.
