RusEnergy

29 November 2006 Upstream onLine - President Vladimir Putin has confirmed plans for a strategic partnership between Norway and Russia, adding that the decision for Gazprom to go it alone at the massive Shtokman field does not shut Norway out of Russia's upstream sector.
The deal was confirmed by Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's office last night. Putin and Stoltenberg met at the end of last week during an EU summit in Helsinki. Ingvard Havnen, director general of Stoltenberg's office, said: "Putin confirmed the strategic partnership when it comes to energy co-operation and also with regard to further development and co-operation. "Putin said that although no foreign companies would be involved directly in the ownership side of Shtokman, that did not in any way mean Norwegian companies would not be able to (participate) in the oil and gas sector in Russia."