Exxon Mobil Corp. has held confidential talks with Rosneft PJSC about restoring its participation in the Sakhalin-1 oil project in Russia’s Far East, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions. The meetings took place earlier this month in Qatar and were led by Exxon senior vice president Neil Chapman and Rosneft chief executive Igor Sechin. Agenda items included the potential re-entry of Exxon into Sakhalin-1, the possible purchase of U.S. equipment by Russian partners, and related proposals that have been reviewed inside the White House, the report said. Exxon pulled out of Sakhalin-1 and ceased new Russian investments in 2022 after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, citing U.S. and allied sanctions. A resumption of operations would mark a significant shift in U.S.–Russia energy relations and would require approvals from Washington, which still maintains extensive restrictions on Russian oil development.