According to Alexei Miller, “Liquid natural gas is considered to be a key business for Gazprom. Japanese companies are experienced in transportation technologies. We see possibilities of their participation in the Shtokman project,” he said, according to RusEnergy. Miller has not announced any possible participants for the $20 billion Arctic gas project.

Some months ago Gazprom published a short-list of five foreign companies – possible participants of Shtokman field development. Even with their experience in the building liquefied petroleum gas plants, the Japanese Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsui & Co are not in the short list. Analysts say Gazprom can offer Japanese companies other forms of cooperation in the Shtokman project.