French oil major Total has said it and partners Gazprom and Statoil are still committed to developing a giant Arctic gas field despite a new delay to their final investment decision.
The Gazprom-led consortium has put off the decision to press ahead with Shtokman until April 1, according to sources.
A Total spokesman said: “Given the technological and economic stakes for Shtokman, a project that commits partners for several decades, it is logical and responsible for industrial partners to give themselves a few more weeks to decide on such an important investment with all the necessary guarantees.
“Total shares with its partners the strong will to come to a decision as quickly as possible on this strategic issue.”
The spokesman said there was no doubt the project would go ahead.