This will lead to Rosneft Brazil receiving 51% control and taking over the operatorship in the joint venture in the Solimoes basin. The companies agreed that Rosneft and HRT will continue exploration activities with respect to Solimoes project and also agreed the sale of four heli-transportable rigs to Rosneft.

The documents were signed today in Rio de Janeiro in the presence of Igor Sechin, Rosneft President and Chairman of the Management Board, and Milton Franke, CEO of HRT.

The parties have agreed key terms for each of the abovementioned transactions and expect to sign definite agreements by the end of January 2014.

The completion of the sale and purchase transaction between the companies shall be subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, including the approval by the Brazilian National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP).

Commenting on the agreements reached, Igor Sechin said: "We are pleased to increase our stake in promising Solimoes project and hope to continue fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation with our partners from HRT as part of this project implementation."

Milton Franke highlighted: "We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Rosneft on our joint activities in the Solimoes and look forward to working together with a global industry leader to further mature and monetize the project’s substantial resources."