In the fourth quarter of 2016, profit attributable to our shareholders was 46.6 bln RUB, down 15.0% quarter-on-quarter. For the full year 2016, profit decreased by 29.0% and amounted to 206.8 bln RUB.

“We estimate production costs for the Russian Arctic offshore in the range of $70 to $100 a barrel,” Energy Minister Alexander Novak said by email. These reserves “are our backup stock,” he said before the International Arctic Forum in Russia’s Arkhangelsk that began Wednesday.

Russian top gas producer Gazprom and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) signed a memorandum on cooperation in the gas sphere on Tuesday.

"It became evident that U.S. shale oil output has become and will remain a new global oil price regulator for the foreseeable future," Rosneft said.

Rising oil production in the US, which Russia's energy ministry forecasts to grow by 400,000 b/d year on year in 2017, is being monitored, but it should not be considered separate from the global supply and demand balance, he said.

Rosneft and Demiroren Group Companies signed an Agreement on petroleum product supplies during 2018-2020.

The LUKOIL Group oil production for the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2016 was 22.7 and 92.0 million tonnes, respectively. Production for the fourth quarter excluding compensation crude oil from West Qurna-2 project in Iraq increased by 2.5% compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Gazprom’s projects were strategically important for Russia’s energy security. The projects make gas supplies to domestic and foreign consumers more reliable and create conditions for further strengthening the Company’s position in the global energy market. All of Gazprom’s priority projects are on schedule.

Iran will begin exporting 100,000b/d of crude oil to Russia within the next two week, Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said.

Profit attributable to NOVATEK shareholders increased by more than three-fold to RR 257.8 billion (RR 85.41 per share), as compared to RR 74.4 billion (RR 24.63 per share) in 2015. The amount of profit and its dynamics were significantly impacted by the foreign exchange effect (including at the joint ventures level), as well as the effect of the disposals of interests in joint ventures.

Nord Stream 2 to play crucial role in EU’s energy security

Construction contract signed for second string of TurkStream’s offshore section

It was noted that Gazprom’s gas supplies to the German market had reached a record of 49.8 billion cubic meters in 2016. The upward trend in gas demand continues in early 2017. In January, gas exports grew by 23.2 per cent versus the corresponding month of 2016. Between February 1 and February 15, gas deliveries added 37 per cent compared to the same period of last year.

Gazprom and CNPC broadening strategic cooperation in energy sector

Now the human drama watch begins; will Putin cave in to the demands of the West to renounce his allies in exchange for the improved relation and the dropping of sanctions?