An agreement to set up a joint venture for construction and operation of a network of CNG stations in Russia on the basis of Vankor UTT was signed by Rosneft and Beijing Gas Group Company Limited (hereinafter, Beijing Gas) during the first Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum. Under the agreement, Beijing Gas will have a 45% stake.
Pursuant to the document, the parties will build about 170 CNG stations in Russia, and consider the options of using LNG as a motor fuel. The document will enable the development of strategic cooperation between the partners in the use of natural gas as an ecological fuel.
Development of the CNG station network in Russia is among key priorities of Rosneft's Retail Business: the use of CNG as a motor fuel will increase the effectiveness of vehicles operation due to transportation cost reduction, and reduce a negative environmental impact of motor vehicles. It is consistent with Rosneft-2022 Strategy and with the Instruction of the RF President concerning the need to develop a market for natural gas a motor fuel.
About Rosneft
Rosneft is the leader of Russia’s petroleum industry and the world’s largest publicly traded petroleum company. Company’s main activities include prospecting and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits, oil, gas and gas-condensate production, upstream offshore projects, processing, as well as oil, gas, and product marketing in Russia and abroad. The Company is included in the list of strategic companies and organizations of Russia. Company’s largest shareholder (69.50% of the equity) is ROSNEFTEGAZ OJSC, fully owned by the Russian Government, while BP holds 19.75% of shares, one share belongs to the state represented by Federal Agency for State Property Management, whereas the remaining shares are free floating.
About Beijing Gas
Beijing Gas belongs to Beijing Enterprises Group Limited and is a leading company in the area of natural gas supplies, gas/power generation infrastructure construction in the Beijing region. The company manages over 20 gas projects in the People's Republic of China.
In June 2017, Rosneft and Beijing Gas Group Company Limited closed the deal to sell a 20% stake in Verkhnechonskneftegaz to the Chinese company. The price of the acquired stake was about $1.1 billion.