Russian state oil giant Rosneft and Japan's Marubeni Corp. signed a memorandum Wednesday on implementing a joint liquefied natural gas project and exploring and developing oil and gas fields, Rosneft said in a statement.
The companies will consider cooperating on the construction of an LNG plant in Russia's Far East, the statement said.
Rosneft has in recent months pressed for permission from the Russian government to export gas. By law, only state firm OAO Gazprom is allowed to sell supplies abroad. It is considering building a liquefaction plant with Exxon Mobil Corp. on Russia's Pacific Coast.
Rosneft is also partnering with a number of foreign firms, including Exxon, to explore the Arctic shelf and onshore shale oil.
