"Our specialists are looking at all possibilities that could be beneficial for the company," Rosneft spokesman Nikolai Manvelov said Thursday. "Everything depends on economic viability," Manvelov said, declining to elaborate.
The dollar has dropped 10 percent this year against the euro, reducing the value of exports. OPEC members Iran and Venezuela have lobbied to abandon the dollar, a step Saudi Arabia rejected last month.
LUKoil may make the switch within two years, deputy chief executive Leonid Fedun said in New York on Wednesday.
"Selling for rubles is much more attractive," Fedun said. "Gazprom is considering introducing ruble-denominated contracts, and I think that technically Russian companies can do it by 2009 if the banks are ready."
Crude oil has surged 54 percent this year, contributing to an increase in inflation, which President Vladimir Putin calls one of the biggest threats to the economy's nine-year expansion. LUKoil has said the strengthening ruble eats into profits because costs are denominated in the local currency.
The ruble has gained about 8 percent this year against the dollar, while losing 3 percent versus the euro. The Central Bank manages the currency against a basket of the euro and the dollar.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
