Agreement Will Improve Clean-up Efforts and Environmental Standards in Both Countries

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA -- U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov met today to discuss energy issues of interest to both countries and to implement the oil spill prevention and response agreement the two countries developed over the past year.  The two signed the oil spill response protocol at the second U.S.-Russia Commercial Energy Summit.    

The original proposal, signed in March, was developed at Minister Yusufov's request and recommended extensive mutual assistance from both countries in the areas of technology, logistics, training, regulatory issues and exchange programs.  It also recognized their common commitment to environmentally sustainable development and transport of oil.  Today's action formalizes the arrangement, and implements the plan.

"I'm grateful for Minister Yusufov's interest in the subject of oil spill prevention and response, especially because of Russia's growing participation in international oil markets," Secretary Abraham said.  "This agreement will allow us to protect the environment while guaranteeing continued production and use of oil and oil products."

By working in concert, U.S. and Russian experts will expand the successful framework for bilateral cooperation evidenced in the U.S.-Russia Energy Working Group, and will specifically address the environmental risks associated with oil production and transportation.

The Russian Federation has already developed oil spill contingency plans for each of its regions, and has worked closely with local government officials on plans to cover marine bodies from the Black and Caspian Seas to the Barents and Pacific coast.   The U.S. meanwhile, has developed similar response plans, employing cutting-edge technologies to clean up oil spills and constantly updated and improved technologies to prevent oil spills in the first place. 

Under the auspices of the protocol, the U.S. and Russia will share ideas, information, technologies and methods in support of helping both countries increase the effectiveness of their oil spill regulation, prevention and response.

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