The exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas has taken us round the world for more than 75 years. It presents us with new challenges all the time – such as the heat of the Libyan Desert, gale force 10 in the North Sea and on the Atlantic, or Siberia's permafrost. We master these challenges. Because we defy these extremes with tireless effort, determination, and our technological expertise. And with the help of strong partners, such as Russia's OAO Gazprom, with whom we jointly produce natural gas in Siberia.

To achieve things in partnership with others is an important strategic focus of Wintershall. For example, we pioneered the cooperation with Gazprom by launching joint natural gas trading activities for Western Europe, which now represent our second business segment. Our two successful business sectors – oil and gas Exploration and Production on the one hand and Natural Gas Trading on the other – join forces under our "Gas for Europe" concept, which means finding and producing new gas in and around Europe and being involved in shaping the connecting infrastructure.