Russian gas executives visit Alaska

Alexei Miller met with officials from ConocoPhillips and Alaska.

MOSCOW - Russian state-controlled energy company Gazprom said yesterday a group of senior executives visited Alaska to discuss energy projects as the gas export monopoly seeks to expand its presence abroad.

Led by chief executive Alexei Miller, senior managers met with local officials and the chief executive of US oil company ConocoPhillips to discuss gas production and transportation in the state, which shares a maritime border with Russia.

"Gazprom has accumulated vast experience in exploring hydrocarbon deposits, building and operating gas pipelines . . . in the Far North. Gazprom's experience will be relevant in realizing similar projects in Alaska," Gazprom said. It did not provide other details.

Gazprom had earlier expressed interest in a pipeline project alongside BP and ConocoPhillips to carry natural gas from Alaska to the lower 48 US states.