MOSCOW, June 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Cuban state-owned Union CubaPetroleo is holding talks with Russian companies on a joint development of the country’s shelf, Rafael Tenreiro Perez, head of the company’s exploration department, said on Wednesday during the World Petroleum Congress.

“Last month, we signed memorandums on mutual understanding with state-owned oil major Rosneft and oil company Zarubezhneft. I am almost sure of signing new contracts with other Russian companies. All blocks of the Cuban shelf are accessible for strategic partners as Cuba does not have a licensing regime,” Rafael Tenreiro Perez said.

Next year Cuba plans to start works on three projects with more than seven-kilometer well depth, which require deep sea drilling technologies, he said.