The two have taken similar-sized stakes inthe blocks in Irkutsk Oblast from compatriot Japan Oil, Gas & MetalsNational Corporation (JOGMEC).
JOGMEC subsidiary Japan South Sakha OilCompany (JASSOC) has been exploring the Zapadno-Yaraktinsky Block and the Bolshetirsky Block onshore Russia.
Inpex has taken a 12.4% stake in JASSOCwith Itochu getting 12.6%.
JASSOC has discovered both oil and gas inits previous exploration work on the blocks.
