Rosneft, Moscow, (Russia, London: ROSN) and a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corp., Irving, Texas, (NYSE: XOM) plan to jointly develop oil and gas resources in the Black Sea, which includes an initial focus on oil exploration and production in the Tuapse Trough in the Russian Black Sea basin.

The agreement signed in Davos, Switzerland, by Rosneft president Eduard Khudainatov and ExxonMobil Development Co. president Neil Duffin, contemplates a joint operating company to conduct exploration and production in the Tuapse Trough, an 11,200-square-kilometers deepwater offshore area along the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar region.

The agreement enables Rosneft and ExxonMobil to consider additional opportunities to expand Black Sea energy sector cooperation in areas such as additional exploration and production, crude oil sales to Rosneft's Tuapse refinery and other Black Sea markets, development of regional transportation infrastructure, and deepwater offshore technology research and development.

"Cooperation with ExxonMobil once again underscores our commitment to the principles of transparency and vision of the Russian energy industry as a part of an integrated global marketplace," says Igor Sechin, deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, who was present at a signing ceremony.

"ExxonMobil technologies will effectively complement Rosneft's experience and resources. Development of this area will become the springboard for full-scale Black Sea basin development, and this challenge will require coordinated efforts of many nations and companies in the region."

The companies plan to apply their experience and expertise to implement this project through application of world leading technologies and the highest standards of environmental safety.

Rex Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil, who attended the ceremony, says ExxonMobil welcomes the opportunity to expand its activities with Rosneft for the benefit of Russian energy development.

"ExxonMobil will bring its technology, project execution capabilities and innovation to complement Rosneft's strengths and experience in the region. We will build on the successful relationship we have with Rosneft through the Sakhalin 1 project to help meet energy needs in Russia and the wider Black Sea area," says Tillerson

Rosneft President Eduard Khudainatov adds, "Commencement of implementation of the second major contract with a leading international partner this year demonstrates Rosneft's capabilities and its management's focus on creating a global energy company capable of undertaking the most complex offshore projects."

Offshore