MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a decree that could allow foreign investors, including top US oil major Exxon Mobil, to regain shares in the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project.
The signing of the decree comes on the day Russian president Vladimir Putin meets Donald Trump in Alaska for a summit where opportunities for investment and business collaboration will be on the agenda, alongside talks to find peace in Ukraine.
Friday's decree was published as a follow-up to one Putin signed in October 2022, which ordered the seizure of the Sakhalin-1 project.
Exxon previously held a 30 per cent operator share in the lucrative project, and is the only non-Russian investor to have quit its stake.
Exxon did not immediately reply to Reuters request for comment.
The path to Western investment returning to Russia is unclear given the US and European Union would need to lift far-reaching sanctions to facilitate investment. Companies who might wish to return, having spent significant amounts of money to exit the country three years ago, also face high barriers put up by the Russian government.
Russia decree opens door for Exxon return to Sakhalin-1 project
FE Team | Published: August 17, 2025 21:05:59
Russia decree opens door for Exxon return to Sakhalin-1 project
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