Russian oil company Rosneft and China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec) have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on gas and petrochemical projects in East Siberia.

The agreement envisages a detailed pre-feasibility and concept design study for a potential gas and petrochemicals joint venture. The scope could include converting natural gas and liquid feedstocks to produce ethylene and propylene which would feed integrated production of high-performance polymers and copolymers.

Ethylene capacity at complexes in Boguchany (Krasnoyarsk Territory) and Angarsk (Irkutsk region) is expected to total as much as 3 million t/y with around 6 million t/y of polymers and other petrochemicals. Output will be targeted primarily at markets in Russia and China.