Though Gazprom is not an oil-producing company, it totally controls another “overwhelmingly” important natural resource – gas. Gazprom is the world’s largest gas company focused on geological exploration, production, transmission, storage, processing and marketing of gas and other hydrocarbons. 50, 002% of Gazprom’s stake belongs to the Russian government.

The world-biggest gas concern was formed in 1989. Prior to that date it was known as the Soviet Ministry of the Gas Industry. On November 5, 1992, President of the Russian Federation signed a decree on formation of the Joint Stock Company Gazprom.

Headquarters of GazpromToday the company possesses the richest gas reserves and it controls 20 percent of world gas-production. Gazprom exports gas to 32 countries and takes steps to expand its positions at the world market despite the fact that many countries don’t welcome the Russian monopolist.

A business priority of Gazprom is the exploitation of gas resources in the Yamal Peninsula, Arctic continental shelf, Eastern Siberia and the Far East. Currently Gazprom participates in several major projects, among them: Sakhalin II, Blue Stream, Nord Stream, Shtockman Project, Altai Project, Prirazlomnoye Oil Field.

According to the data of 2006, Gazprom totally owns 62 subsidiaries and over 100 companies are under its control. The headquarters of the company is located at Nametkina Street 16, Moscow.

Lukoil is the biggest private oil company in Russia. It basically focuses on exploration and production of oil & gas, production of petroleum products and petrochemicals, and marketing of these outputs. Lukoil’s main resource base is situated in Western Siberia, while its refineries, gas processing and petrochemical plants are located in Eastern Europe as well as in Russia. The biggest Russian refineries are in Ukhta, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd and Perm. State-owned oil concern Lukoil (formerly named LangepasUraiKogalymneft) was established in 1991.

Today the Company has around 1.3% of global oil reserves and 2.3% of global oil production. LUKOIL dominates the Russian energy sector, with almost 19% of total Russian oil production and 18% of total Russian oil refining.

Lukoil branches can be found in 19 countries including Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, Romania, Macedonia, Cyprus and Turkey and the United States. The marketing network of the company consists of 200 tank farm facilities and 5,793 filling stations (including franchises).

Lukoil is quickly “moving forward” and hopes to become the leading oil company in Europe.

PIN/Russia-Ic.Com