Russian Oil Firms Seek Partners

Russia?s Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev said that Russian companies will not cope on their own with opening up Arctic mineral deposits.

He explained that Russia has no companies to implement related projects single-handed in a short run.

?There is only one way out - to join the world's leading mineral wealth users, who possess extensive experience of sea-based works, and establish a consortium together,? he said.

"Russia welcomes joint ventures with nonresident partners to open up and use Arctic resources in due compliance with latter-date environmental protection standards."