March 26- The Ukrainian Energy Ministry and Naftogaz have signed documents with U.S. companies on cooperation in energy projects in Ukraine, Ukrainian media quoted First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denis Shmygal as saying.
"The Energy Ministry has signed a hydrocarbons production sharing agreement with Aspect Holdings. The document is expected to help raise investment to develop hydrocarbons extraction in Ukraine," Shmygal was quoted as saying on social media following the Ukrainian delegation's visit to the United States.
Naftogaz of Ukraine signed a memorandum with leading international energy equipment producer Solar Turbines, he said. Potential avenues for cooperation include localizing equipment servicing and maintenance, training Ukrainian specialists, and other initiatives aimed at boosting the energy resilience and independence of Naftogaz Group facilities.
Naftogaz also signed a memorandum of understanding with Baker Hughes to optimize extraction processes, as well as a memorandum with the American Petroleum Institute (API), facilitating exchanges of information on industry standards, certificates, technologies, and the best practices in the oil and gas sector. Naftogaz experts will also participate in API standard development.
Shmygal said a day earlier following his meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright that they discussed a possible $1.4-billion loan from the United States Development Finance Corporation to upgrade Ukraine's energy equipment, including in gas production, as well as steps to boost cooperation with the U.S. EXIM Bank.
