My forecast regarding the shelf is pessimistic, - Ilya Ponomaryev

I heard that the new tender, which will be announced by the Cabinet of Ministers, will provide that the plot on the Delfin shelf will no longer be sold in one lot, but will be sold in four lots. In such conditions, for the Trident company, Naftogaz of Ukraine will become a competitor, and the cooperation that was foreseen will no longer exist.

- We believe that Ukraine is not a country for majors. It is for investment companies like us, Trident.

- My prediction. We will try to avoid litigation with the Ukrainian state. But we spent 12 million dollars on preparation for the tender on the shelf. Therefore, we hope that we will come to an agreement and maintain our presence in Ukraine by joining another project. I already see a constructive approach on the part of the Government in this matter.

- Unsuccessful tenders await us with the shelf, in which there will be the same players as in deposits on land, if the Government does not introduce a qualification bar. But, I believe that for 4 plots they will not give such a resource as we offered. After a year it will go back again.