Jan .
  2016
ISSUE
No. 46

  USRCC Business Newsletter
USRCC NEWS

Mark your calendar!

Luncheon with His Excellency 
Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador 
of the Russian Federation to the U.S.

Dear Friends,

The USRCC Ambassador Speaker Series with 
His Excellency, Sergey I. Kislyak scheduled for 
December 17, 2015, has been rescheduled to  February 11, 2016 

Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak was appointed Ambassador to the United States on September 16, 2008, having previously served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. A career diplomat, Kislyak joined the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation/USSR in 1977. During his distinguished career, Kislyak headed the Foreign Ministry's Security and Disarmament Department (1995­-1998), and served simultaneously as the Ambassador to Belgium and as Russia's permanent representative to NATO.  Ambassador Kislyak first served in the United States as second secretary at the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (1981­-85) and, later, as first secretary and counselor Russian Embassy in Washington (1985­-89).

Save the date

February 11, 2016
Downtown Houston, TX
11:00 am VIP Reception/12:00 pm Luncheon

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For sponsorship opportunities please contact:

The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce
2900 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 133, Houston, TX 77042
Phone: 713.429.4680 Email: info@usrussiacc.org
USRCC 2016 Membership

Renew your 2016 membership or join for the first time today!

                                                       For more information


Business Networking Happy Hour

The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce invites you to kick off
the New Year With a business networking happy hour!

Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00pm
5000 Westheimer Road #120 Houston, TX77056
Arcodoro Restaurant
Cost: FREE for members, $10 for non-members  
 
Complimentary appetizers will be provided. Happy Hour prices for drinks will be available.

 


 USRCC Trade Mission to Russia
 June 2016

With a population of more than 143 million people and rapidly growing infrastructure, Russia presents U.S. companies with promising opportunity. The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce (USRCC) invites you to participate in a Trade mission to the  St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and Moscow. Participants will have an opportunity to meet Russian government officials and some of the most influential leaders in U.S.-Russia trade and investment relations. The USRCC will coordinate private meetings, an exclusive CEO Roundtable and introductions, in addition to attending the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPEIF).
Participating companies will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, find business partners, and advance specific projects with the goal of increasing U.S. trade and investment to Russia. 

For more details about the Trade Mission please  click here  or contact us

Member News
LUKOIL produces one hundred million tonnes of oil in 2015

Oilvoice.com, December 31, 2015: For the first time in the company's history, PJSC LUKOIL has stepped over the boundary of 100 million tonnes of produced oil annually.
The increase in LUKOIL's production in 2015, versus the previous year, amounted to 3.5% or 3.4 million tonnes.
This was made possible through the oil production increase in the European part of Russia (in particular - in the Timan-Pechora and Perm Regions, northern Caspian) and West Qurna-2 field in Iraq.  Read more...
The Week in Review 
Weak Ruble to Help Russia Withstand Low Oil Prices

Sputnik, January 4, 2016: Russia's weak ruble will help the country's national oil companies withstand low oil prices, but economic sanctions limit access to long-term external financing from US and EU financial and capital markets, according to the statement of Moody's Investors Service.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Russian oil industry will endure low commodity prices due to Russia's weakened national currency, Moody's Investors Service said in a press release on Monday.
"Russia's weak ruble will help the country's national oil companies withstand low oil prices, but economic sanctions limit access to long-term external financing from US and EU financial and capital markets for the Russian giant Rosneft (Ba1 stable)," the release stated.  Read more...
Russia applies three-year moratorium on inspections of small business

Newsaz.com, January 5, 2016: The law on a 3-year moratorium on inspections of small business has come into force in Russia starting from January 1, 2016.
It concerns individual entrepreneurs and legal entities coming within definition of small business.
"The law in itself is a victory for us, a step forward. I think business will feel the results of efforts in this direction," President of Business Russia (Delovaya Rossiya) Alexey Repik told TASS.
The law, which imposes a 3-year moratorium on planned inspections, is aimed at easing operating conditions for small business and partially becoming a supportive measure amid challenging economic environment. According to Repik, the measures stipulated by the law on moratorium should be of systemic and permanent nature. "Three years will pass while the problem needs to be tackled in general," he said.   Read more...
Russia Can be One of The Most Energy-Competitive Areas For Renewables

Cheminfo.com, January 4, 2016: A fully renewable energy system is achievable and economically viable in Russia and Central Asia in 2030. Researchers from Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) modelled a renewable energy system for Russia and Central Asia. Results show that renewable energy is the cheapest option for the continent and can make Russia a very energy competitive region in the future.
According to the research, a 100 percent renewable energy system for Russia and Central Asia would be roughly 50 percent lower in cost than a system based on latest European nuclear technology or carbon capture and storage. Renewable energy covers electricity and industrial natural gas demand, not, for example, transport or heating.    Read more...
Despite fall in prices, Russia oil output hit record in 2015

Japantime.co.jp, January 3, 2016: MOSCOW - Russia pumped a record 534 million tons of crude oil in 2015 even as it reeled from a fall in oil prices caused by a supply glut, Energy Ministry data showed Saturday.
The country's oil and gas condensate production last year increased 1.4 percent year-on-year, with output reaching just over 10.7 million barrels per day, a post-Soviet record, according to data cited by Interfax news agency.
The slide in oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis have pummeled the oil-dependent Russian economy in recent months.
The ruble lost around half of its value in 2014 but recovered slightly as energy prices stabilized last year.    Read more...

Oilandgas360.com, January 6, 2016: New Chinese investment firm raises $6 billion in financing  Russia-based Novatek's (ticker: NVTK) Yamal LNG project has received a new infusion of capital from a new Chinese investment firm called China Insurance Investment Ltd. The firm is comprised of 46 Chinese companies who have raised 40 billion yuan ($6 billion) to finance energy and infrastructure projects overseas,  reports Reuters .
The firm is headquartered in the Shanghai free trade zone, and is made up of 27 insurance companies, 15 insurance asset management companies and four private companies. Each shareholder will have a stake of less than 4%.    Read more...
Rosneft: ONCG Videsh Takes 15% of Vankorneft

Rogtecmagazine.com, January 4, 2016: Rosneft and ONGC Videsh Limited signed an Agreement of Confirmation of successful completion of the first stage pre-completion actions in relation to the creation of a joint venture in JSC "Vankorneft". The document was signed in the presence of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi by Rosneft Chairman of the Management Board Igor Sechin and the Managing Director of ONGC Videsh Limited Narendra Verma.
The document was signed in continuation of the agreement of sale and purchase of a 15% share in Vankorneft and the shareholders agreement in regard of the enterprise management (the documents were  signed in September, 2015). The parties intend to complete the transaction upon obtaining necessary regulatory and other approvals.  Read more...
OMV and Gazprom are negotiating a swap that involves Romania and Bulgaria

Balkaneu.com, January 8, 2016: Austrian group OMV and Russian giant Gazprom are about to come to a deal concerning an important property exchange that would involve Romania and Bulgaria. Information about the deal was brought to public attention today by Romanian website Hotnews.ro.
According to a preliminary agreement between the two oil and gas groups, OMV is set to get access to exploring and exploiting large fields in Siberia. In exchange, Gazprom would take over Romanian refinery Petrobrazi near the southern city of Ploiesti. Gazprom would also take over several gas stations in Bulgaria. The Russians are also interested in becoming partners in several OMV projects with US company ExxonMobil. OMV Petrom and ExxonMobil have the right to exploit and explore fields in the Black Sea, in Romania's territorial waters.    Read more...
Russia's Arktika Satellite Network to Be Launched
in 2017 Despite Sanctions

Sputnik, January 4, 2016: The Western sanctions will not affect the Russian Arktika project because the design of satellites is originally based on domestic technologies, according to Sergei Lemeshevsky of the Lavochkin Research and Production Association.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The first satellite of the Arktika satellite network will be launched in 2017 despite the Western anti-Russia sanctions and revision of the Federal Space Program for 2016-2025, system developer's acting director general said Monday.
"The full transition to the Russian components will not change [our] plans on the Arktika project: the first satellite is expected to be launched in 2017. Almost all components and devices have been received, the rest will be received in 2016," Sergei Lemeshevsky of the Lavochkin Research and Production Association told RIA Novosti. 
Read more...

Russianspacenews.com, December 3, 2016: Several months ago Roscosmos announced its intention to develop touristic programs in Baikonur. There was a program elaborated to improve the quality of services in this field since such specific touristic programs as spaceport tours launch observation grow more and more popular. Now this branch of tourism is controlled directly by Roscosmos, the Agency has held tender so that only authorized tour operators could provide tours to Baikonur spaceport. At the present time Vegitel Tour specializing in the field of aerospace tourism for more than 10 years is the only company authorized to arrange such touristic services. Optional Link
For Russia's space program, 2016 may be a make-or-break year

Arstechnica.com, January 5, 2016: An old theater rises above the center of Baikonur, a dusty town in Kazakhstan near the cosmodrome from which Russians have launched humans into space since 1961. Long ago, Soviet soldiers mingled in its lobby and sat in its uncomfortable wooden chairs to watch propaganda films. In those early days, the Soviets often bested the United States with space milestones.
Today, after launches of Russian, American, and other astronauts to the International Space Station, the fliers' families gather along with NASA officials in the theater to watch the Soyuz spacecraft dock to the orbiting laboratory. Read more...
Russia, India Agree to Boost Cooperation in Space Exploration

Spacedaily.com, December 31, 2015: Russia and India have affirmed common dedication to further collaborate in developing space exploration, rocket manufacture and engine manufacture, according to a joint statement published Thursday following talks between the two countries' leaders.
Earlier in the day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.
The sides positively assessed the June 2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos).
Read more...
Courtyard by Marriott Nizhny Novgorod City Center Opens in Russia

Hotelnewsresourse.com, January 5, 2016: Courtyard by Marriott Nizhny Novgorod City Center opened its doors in one of Russia's most important historical city centres on 18 December 2015. Close to the business district and attractions, including the main pedestrian street Nizhegorodsky Kremlin, the hotel, the 7 th Courtyard branded hotel in Russia offers 143 rooms including a Presidential Suite with its own private entrance.
The hotel's architecture is an extraordinary mix of modern and traditional with half a modern building connected to a 19 th century renovated house that once belonged to a famous city merchant. It represents the charming architecture found in Western European art nouveau town houses.   Read more...
Netflix Could Launch in Russia This Month

Fortune.com, January 4, 2016: The country has more than 80 million Internet users.
Can streaming shows like  Making A Murderer and  Narcos prove to be binge-watching fodder in Russia the way they are in the U.S.? Netflix could find out before the end of the month.
The popular streaming service might be close to launching in Russia, where it could start picking up new subscribers before the end of January, according to a report from Russian newspaper  Izvestia that cites multiple anonymous sources. Russia could be a huge new market for Netflix as the country  reportedly boasts more than 80 million Internet users.  Read more...
US-Russia Related News in Russian
Новости 
"Роснефть" получила крупное месторождение в море Лаптевых

Pngbo.ru, 22 декабря, 2015: Госкомпания "Роснефть" получила разрешение правительства на разведку и эксплуатацию Хатаганского месторождения, расположенного в море Лаптевых. Соответствующее распоряжение, как передает РИА "Новости", опубликовано во вторник на сайте российского правительства.
Документ подготовлен Минприроды России, размер разового платежа за пользование недрами составит 282,512 миллиона рублей.
Ранее со ссылкой на представителя Минприроды сообщалось, что правительство РФ предоставило "Роснефти" в пользование Хатангский участок недр в районе Хатангского залива (море Лаптевых) без аукциона.  Читать далее...
Мировой рекорд компании Weatherford по спуску обсадных колонн

Neftegaz.ru, 8 января, 2016: Новый мировой рекорд был закреплен за компанией  Weatherford, выполнившей спуск обсадной колонны весом 1 180 т до проектной глубины 8 170 м. Работы проводились осенью 2015 г на глубоководной буровой платформе в Мексиканском заливе.
  Оператору платформы в Зелёном Каньоне требовалась установка тяжёлой обсадной колонны диаметром 14 дюймов, с крутящим моментом 112,6 фунт/фут. Общий вес обсадной колонны для спуска на проектную глубину составлял 1180 т. Оператор обратился к специалистам Weatherford для разработки клиньев LSS 1250 грузоподъемностью 1250 т, действующие как спайдер, осуществляя безопасный и эффективный захват трубы.
USRCC Executive Partners







                                










The USRCC is looking for new team members!

The USRCC is now looking for interns for its Houston, Chicago and  New York Office s.  To learn more about the position please  click here  or contact us directly at info@usrussiacc.org or call 713.429.4680
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. USRCC does not accept any responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on information contained in this newsletter. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the USRCC or its members.  Links within this newsletter lead to other websites, including those operated and maintained by third parties. The linked sites are not part of the USRCC newsletter. USRCC includes these links solely as a convenience to the newsletter subscribers, and the presence of such links does not imply a responsibility for the linked site and its operator. USRCC cannot certify the accuracy of the material provided by the original  source .
The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce (USRCC)  is  a 501(c)(6) no t for  profit  corporation with its headquarters  in Houston, Texas,  and offices in the Midwest and the Northeast. The USRCC  was established in 2009 to promote  trade and investment  between  the  Russia n Federation  and the U.S. A.