2 weeks ago

The national flags of Russia and Cuba, alongside the flags of Russian oil company Zarubezhneft and Cuban oil company Cupet, are seen near a sign designating the joint development project of the oil companies, on the outskirts of Havana July 11, 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he was hopeful Russian oil company Rosneft and Cuban state oil company Cupet could begin jointly exploring Cuba's potential offshore oil reserves "in the very near future." Shortly before Putin began his six-day trip to Latin America, Rosneft and fellow state oil company Zarubezhneft agreed to help Cupet explore offshore in Cuba, which has limited onshore production and depends on Venezuela for oil imports. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa (CUBA - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS ENERGY)