In a September 1, 2011 article in the New York Times, entitled “Memo to Exxon: Business with Russia Might Involve Guns and Balaclavas”, Andrew E. Kramer reported that Exxon signed a Joint Venture (JV) deal with the Russian state owned oil company Rosneft. Kramer stated that through this JV Exxon would explore for oil in the Russian sector of the Arctic Ocean. While the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), in an August 31, 2011 article, reported that financial terms for the Arctic Ocean JV had not yet been finally negotiated and on August 30, 2011, Newsday reported that Rosneft would own 66.7% of the shares in the JV. Additionally, Rosneft would “gain access to Exxon operations, including oil fields in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico.” The WSJ was more specific in noting that “Rosneft will be able to purchase stakes in some Exxon projects in the U.S., including deep-water Gulf of Mexico exploration and onshore oil fields in Texas. That would mark the first time a state-controlled Russian oil company acquired ownership stakes in U.S. oil and gas assets.”