China's Dagong Global Credit Rating Co. gave Gazprom Neft a AA credit rating, denoting a stable outlook for its debt portfolio and long-term production potential.

A good rating from a Chinese credit agency enhances the opportunity for success in the Asian market, the oil arm of Russian energy company Gazprom said Monday.

"The high credit rating from Dagong provides a further valuable reference point for Asian investors regarding Gazprom Neft's credit, and it will support further opportunities for collaboration," Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Finance Alexei Yankevich said in a statement.

The company said it received a AA- rating because of Gazprom Neft's limited access to foreign capital markets. The one point difference reflects a weak Russian currency, trading at 61.60 to the U.S. dollar Monday, close to an all-time low.

The Chinese rating agency last month gave parent company Gazprom one of its best outlooks in the industry, a AAA, despite sanctions imposed on Russia's energy sector in response to crises in Ukraine.

Gazprom's rating opened the company up for trade on the Hong Kong stock index at a time when Russian energy companies are pivoting toward energy-hungry economies in Asia.

Last week, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said natural gas supplies to Eastern economies should increase nearly tenfold by 2035. A so-called Power of Siberia natural gas pipeline will ensure Russian gas deliveries to China and the minister said at least three related agreements will be signed later this year.

China's credit enthusiasm contrasts ratings from Western agencies. Ratings agency Moody's last week lowered its assessment of seven Russian financial institutions, including the banking arm of Gazprom, because of recessionary threats.

Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings each lowered their ratings for Gazprombank and others earlier this year.

The Russian economy is entering a period of prolonged weakness because of the dual strains of Western sanctions imposed in response to crises in Ukraine and a weak crude oil market. The Kremlin in February said the economy in 2015 will enter a "prolonged decline."