Although ExxonMobil has held a Russian presence for more than 20 years, its strategic agreements with Rosneft date back to August 2011. The two giants are exploring the Kara Sea under joint venture to form joint venture Karmorneftegaz. Rosneft and ExxonMobil were also co-venturers in the Sakhalin-1 project in the Okhotsk Sea. ( Read more : Rosneft filed a lawsuit against Sakhalin Energy to obtain access to the Sakhalin-2 gas pipeline in July. )