UPDATE 2: Gazprom, Mitsui, Mitsubishi sign strategic partnership deal

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MOSCOW/TOKYO, Dec 16 (PRIME) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom and Japan’s Mitsui, Mitsubishi and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) on Friday signed strategic partnership agreements.

Gazprom also signed a cooperation agreement with the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of Japan’s Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

Gazprom said in a statement that the agreement with Mitsui covers cooperation in many directions, including expansion of the Sakhalin-2 liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and LNG bunkering of the sea transport.

The agreement with Mitsubishi also encompasses improvement of partnership in the LNG sphere, including creation of the third stage of Sakhalin-2, but the companies also expressed interest in expansion of cooperation in other business spheres, the company said.

The agreement with the JBIC outlines general principles of cooperation in setting up financing of Gazprom’s projects with participation of Japanese companies.

Gazprom and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy will coordinate development of partnership between Gazprom and Japanese companies in the scientific, technical, production, and investment spheres, the Russian gas giant said.

Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller told channel RT that Gazprom is considering an asset swap with Mitsui and Mitsubishi.

“First of all, it should be noted that we have reached a brand new level of cooperation, a strategic one, with our traditional Japanese partners Mitsui and Mitsubishi. This means, that we are now working together through the value chain of the gas business, this also includes the possibility of swapping assets between the companies in order to build mutually beneficial chains,” Miller said.

Gazprom is discussing joint construction of the Baltic LNG liquefied natural gas plant with Mitsui and Mitsubishi, Miller told channel NTV.

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