OREANDA-NEWS. December 3, 2012. General Director of "Zarubezhneft" JSC N.Brunich in a delegation headed by the Chairman of the Accounts Chamber S.Stepashin took part in the meeting with the Vice President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. In the course of the talks they discussed matters of the Russian-Cuban cooperation, particularly, in energy field.

Realization of petroleum contracts by "Zarubezhneft" offshore Cuba and at the oilfield Boca de Jaruco was the main point of the talks. Participants of the talks discussed more detailed progress in preparations for the drilling exploratory well at the offshore Block L.

Cuban party and the head of the Russian delegation expressed high opinion of "Zarubezhneft"`s activity in Cuba, having noted, that realization of these contracts is modern and very important stage of cooperation of the two countries. Participants of bilateral dialogue expressed their hope that efforts of Russian oil workers would be successful and in the course of the offshore prospecting oil would be discovered.

Later that day Russian delegation together with the representatives of the Ministry of Basic Industry of the Republic of Cuba and petroleum company "Cubapetroleo" made a flight to the drilling rig "Songa Mercur" which was heading towards drilling location.

National flags of Russia and Cuba and flag of the company "Zarubezhneft" have been hoisted on the semisubmersible drilling rig after the meeting with management and specialists of the rig.

Sergey Stepashin expressed high opinion of this event and noted that in the past few decades it is a serious breakthrough in the oil and gas cooperation of the two countries and today all attendees became witnesses of big and concrete work of "Zarubezhneft". He wished the oil workers success in realization of desired goals.

In the course of discussion N.Brunich noted, that "Zarubezhneft" begins implementation of important practical part of the contract – exploratory drilling operations. This would be the deepest well in that region – 6500 meters. Investment in Block L are expected to be about 1,5 billion rubles. Total investment in Cuban projects this year amounts to 3,5 billion rubles. Head of "Zarubezhneft" emphasized, that Russian oil workers hope to receive good eventual result and expressed confidence that funds would be spent well.

During his visit to Cuba General Director of "Zarubezhneft" JSC and leading specialists of the company met with the Deputy Minister of Basic Industry of the Republic of Cuba Rossell Guerra Campana and General Director of "Cubapetroleo" Raul Perez de Prado. Parties discussed questions of near term prospects in the field of projects implementation at Block L and at the oilfield Boca de Jaruco. Special consideration was given to the strict maintenance of measures for securing accident free operations and accomplishment of environmental requirements when drilling offshore exploratory well. Head of "Zarubezhneft" assured Cuban partners, that company undertakes all necessary efforts for preventing emergency situations in the course of offshore operations; equipment and materials for the accident response are available as required by the relevant documents. He also said that according to the approved schedule the platform "Songa Mercur" should begin drilling an exploratory well on the Cuban shelf at the beginning of December this year.

N.Brunich also visited port Matanzas where the coastal base, materials and devices for the well drilling are located. He inspected plots with cargo, offices and personal service rooms, discussed production issues with managers and specialists of Russian and Cuban contractor companies.