By Emmanuel Tumanjong

Special to Dow Jones Newswires

Russia's Lukoil and Italy's Eni are in talks with the Republic of Congo to authorize an oil exploration project in the country, according to a statement from both companies and released by the Congolese government on Wednesday.

"The project we intend to set up with Eni concerns exploration. We have reassured members of the government that our company will be a reliable partner for the Congo," said Ivan Romanovsky, Lukoil's vice president for the Americas, Europe and West Africa.

Concerning gas exploration, Mr. Romanovsky added that the companies are currently in the process of developing a strategy that will later be presented to the Congolese authorities.

Both Lukoil and Eni are significant operators in the oil and gas industries of the Republic of Congo.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-14-20 0803ET