Русский
The Russian government has submitted an intergovernmental agreement with the Republic of the Congo on cooperation on the construction of the Pointe-Noire – Loutete – Moluko – Tresho oil product pipeline in the Congo to the Russian State Duma for ratification.
The agreement (No. 870793-8), which was signed in Moscow on September 28, 2024, has been posted in the lower house of parliament’s document database. The State Duma is the lower chamber of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and adopts federal laws, including on the ratification of international treaties. Federal laws adopted by the State Duma on the ratification of international treaties of the Russian Federation are subject to mandatory consideration by the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament. The adopted federal law is sent to the President of the Russian Federation within five days for signing and implementation.
The Russian ambassador to Congo, Georgy Chepik said earlier that the pipeline will run between the country’s two largest cities, Pointe-Noire and the capital Brazzaville.
Under the proposed Republic of Congo pipeline agreement, the two parties involved are Zakneftegazstroy-Prometei LLC and the National Petroleum Company of Congo (SNPC). The intent is to form a joint venture to carry out the project, with the Russian side owning a 90% stake and the Congolese side 10%.
A build-own-operate-transfer concession agreement will be signed with the joint venture to build and operate the pipeline for 25 years, with a guaranteed price for transport that will ensure the utilization of the pipeline and a return on investment in the project. The agreement states that disputes will be resolved at the option of the Russian party in Dubai (UAE), by the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (UAE).
When operational, the pipeline will help power Brazzaville, the Congolese capital, with oil from its own offshore oil fields and reduce dependence on imports.
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