Rosneft is betting that south Asia will be a fast-growing market for its oil, and is keen to increase its profits from the region by investing in downstream infrastructure such as refineries and petrol stations.

The closed transaction is symbolic for both the companies and marks transition to a new level of cooperation in the Russian-Indian relations in sphere of energy. ONGC gets substantial interest and relevant rights in one of the biggest large-scale projects of Rosneft of the last decade, whereas Rosneft retains major shares in the project and will operate on the field through the operator company RN-Vankor.

Pertamina seeks a 51% stake in the venture to build a crude-oil refinery and petrochemical plants in eastern Java, with Russian state-controlled oil major Rosneft taking the remainder, Pertamina executives and Indonesian officials said. The refinery will be capable of processing 320,000 barrels of oil a day, and the complex will require $13 billion to $14 billion in investment, they said.

The agreement provides for the expansion of cooperation between the parties in Russia, Vietnam and third countries in the area of hydrocarbon exploration and production (including offshore), processing, commerce and logistics, as well as staff training. The parties agreed to consider potential options for joint projects and define the basic terms of cooperation as well as establish a working group for each of the areas of cooperation.

Rosneft Trading SA, a company of Rosneft Group, delivered its first LNG shipment as part of its contract with Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company. The delivery of the cargo was made by the GOLAR ICE tanker to the Ain Sukhna port within the Master LNG Supply and Purchase Agreement signed in August 2015.

Rosneft appreciates the prospects of cooperation with Pertamina, which will provide an additional channel for Rosneft to supply its high-margin products to one of the fastest growing economies in the region (4.79% GDP growth in 2015). The Republic of Indonesia, with a population of 254 million people, is the largest Asian-Pacific net importer of motor fuels and petrochemicals. Petroleum products, produced from Russian crude, are supplied to Indonesia primarily from South Korea and Singapore. It is crucial for Rosneft to arrange direct shipments of hydrocarbons, which will increase the economic efficiency of oil refining in Indonesia.

Within unstable market conditions Rosneft proceeds looking for new sources of increase of the Company’s capitalization, boosting the efficiency of the investment program and its operations. This will inevitably relate to the operations of the central administrative office – we have set a goal to cut its staff size by 20% relative to the level of 01.01.2016.

“The oil price is growing. I think everyone is expecting the successful outcome of our work,” Mr Sechin said. “We will need higher price levels than $45 or even $50 a barrel.”

Rosneft set a new record, having increased hydrocarbon production up to 254.2 mmtoe (5.16 mmboed). Development drilling meterage increased by 36% and reached 6.9 mln meters. More than 1.8 thousand of new wells were commissioned.

Rosneft, Oil India, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroresources signed a Heads of agreement in respect to the acquisition by a group of Indian investors of a 23,9% share in Vankroneft. The document envisages the possible execution of legally binding documents with regard to the sale and purchase transaction.