TOKYO, October 9 – Novosti. The Russian Sakhalin-1 project remains important for Japan’s energy supply, Yasutoshi Nishimura, head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry , said on the air of the NHK television channel.
“Japan is 90 percent dependent on oil supplies from the Middle East, but the Sakhalin-1 project is important in terms of diversifying import channels and ensuring stable supplies,” he said.
According to Nishimura, Japan is not currently receiving oil from Sakhalin-1.
“Therefore, we would like to clarify the intentions of the Russian side and decide on specific further actions, taking into account close consultations with the parties involved,” he added.
Last Friday, October 7, President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to set up a new Russian operator of the Sakhalin-1 project, which would take over the rights and obligations of Exxon Neftegaz limited. The new operator will be managed by Rosneft ‘s Sakhalinmorneftegaz-Shelf structure, at least until all the shares are distributed.
The current operator of Sakhalin-1, Exxon Neftegaz Limited (a subsidiary of ExxonMobil ), owns a 30 percent stake. In March, the company announced its intention to withdraw from the project, and in April it introduced a force majeure regime, due to which gas and oil production completely stopped.
