U.S. energy secretary: U.S., Russia should move from words to deeds on oil exports

The Associated Press

The United States wants to increase imports of natural gas and oil from Russia but the two countries must move from words to deeds to get it accomplished, U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said May 28.

“We want to see Russian oil and gas more available to the U.S. market,” Abraham said at a business round-table in Moscow.

“This could be done via a northern Russian port,” he said, adding that the Baltic Pipeline System would be a key element in this process.

Abraham said he was satisfied with his discussions on the issue with Russian authorities on May 27, but said no exact dates had been set.

“It’s too early to say when it will happen,” he said, warning that the projects would demand “substantial investment”.

However, he said it was the time for Russia and the United States to “move beyond the talking state” to a more “action-oriented” focus.

He said the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin had called for an increase in Russia’s oil export capacity in his state of the nation address was “very positive news for the energy market”.

In order to accelerate an increase in Russian oil exports, the U.S. government will encourage American companies to take part in Russian energy projects, Abraham said.

Abraham traveled to Russia to sign an agreement on removing uranium fuel from dozens of Soviet-built nuclear reactors worldwide to prevent it from falling into terrorists’ hand.