KIEV, Jan. 24 - Gazprom International and Naftogaz Ukrayiny struck an agreement on January 18 to ramp up their mutual efforts in setting up a joint venture for opening the Pallas structure on the shelf of the Black Sea, a statement issued by the Russian company says.

"Gazprom International is prepared for the joint opening of promising [structures] on the trans-border section of the Black Sea shelf," the statement says. "In March 2011, the management of OJSC Gazprom approved a program for the opening of hydrocarbon resources on the shelf of the Black Sea until 2030, in accordance with which the Pallas structure is considered the shelf's most promising [structure]," it says.