UPDATE 2-Total signs new Russia deal, Putin sees more

* Total welcome in future stages of Shtokman development

* Signs deal with Novatek to develop gas condensate field

* Total had talks with Gazprom on joining Yamal LNG projects

By Katya Golubkova

MOSCOW, June 24 (Reuters) - Total (TOTF.PA) emerged as Russia's favoured energy partner on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin inviting the French major to take part in some top gas projects after meeting its chief executive.

Putin welcomed Total's participation in future stages of the giant Shtokman field, which is being led by Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM), and said the French firm could invest $1 billion in a joint project with another Russian gas firm, Novatek (NVTK.MM).

The deal comes just days after Total - already a partner in Gazprom's (GAZP.MM) $25 billion, first stage Barents Sea Shtokman gas project - hailed a new era in relations with Russian firms following a deal with oil major LUKOIL (LKOH.MM).

Total sold LUKOIL a stake in a Dutch refinery effectively blocking a bid by the largest U.S. refiner, Valero (VLO.N), to enter the region. [ID:nLJ579651]

"I don't think it's difficult to work in Russia," Total Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie told Putin. "One only needs to learn, one needs to learn to work effectively with Gazprom."

After the meeting with Putin, Total signed a deal with Novatek, Russia's second largest gas producer after Gazprom, to to develop Novatek's Termokarstovoye gas condensate field in the far northern region of Yamal-Nenets.

The field's reserves amount to 47.3 billion cubic metres -- enough to meet France's gas consumption for a year - and 10.3 million tonnes of liquids.

"From what I understand, the cooperation can expand even further," said Putin, who was president of the world's largest energy producing country between 2000 and 2008.

Total has a bumpy history of dealings with Russian authorities but relations have improved dramatically since Total was chosen a partner for the coveted Shtokman, one of the world's largest gas fields, located in the stormy Barents Sea.

Analysts had then interpreted the choice as a Russian move to show it has no intention to let U.S. and British companies invest in its lucrative energy sector amid worsening political ties with London and Washington.

De Margerie said he had already held talks with Gazprom's chief executive, Alexei Miller, on participating in liquified natural gas projects on Yamal.