Exxon Mobil Enters into a Pact with Gazprom,the World's Largest

Exxon Mobil enters into a pact with Gazprom,the world's largest natural gas extractor,to set up a processing unit in Moscow.Which of the following is most likely the reason for Exxon Mobil to opt for this strategic alliance?

A) To gain access to new customers
B) To scale back its core competencies
C) To restrict its factors of production
D) To gain access to low-cost inputs of production
E) To better compete with Gasprom