Russia's Gazprom not looking at asking China to develop gas fields

MOSCOW: Russian state gas company Gazprom is not looking at inviting Chinese companies to develop its gas fields, Deputy Chief Executive Vitaly Markelov said on Tuesday.

Asked if Gazprom was considering inviting Chinese companies to develop its fields, an offer which could help spur moves to sign a gas contract with Beijing after years of talks, Markelov told a news conference: "We are not looking at such cooperation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit China on May 20 and Gazprom hopes to sign a gas contract which would help it diversify its exports away from Europe.