Russian Oil Supply

Russian Oil Supply traces the development of the Russian oil industry from its inception in the 1870s through the present. The fundamental geology of the two main producing basins (Volga-Ural and West Siberia) is presented along with a review of key production technologies. The technical, economic, and policy aspects of achieving the 1987-88 peak production are described as well as the mechanics of the production collapse that followed and, since 1999, the recovery of Russian output. The performance of Russia's major oil companies, independents and joint ventures is analyzed and conclusions drawn on the future course of production and exports.

Considine (an analyst with Engage Energy Canada) and Kerr (University of Saskatchewan) argue that Russia will occupy a strategic role in the future world energy market. This book details the development of the Russian oil economy and provides an overview of its position in the coming century. It assesses the policies and institutions of the Russian Federation, and offers recommendations and forecasts. Statistics are provided, representing reserves, production, and tax rates from 1860 to 2000. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The Russian Federation is a leading oil producer and has a major oil supply system. This book describes the current Russian situation and prospects for the future development of its industry. Accurate data on the Russian system of oil pipelines are published here in English for the first time and will be useful to those interested or involved in the oil business. The book provides information on technologies used, including their technical and economic characteristics and current research. Part I discusses oil reserves and current resource base, prospects for their development, potential oil reserves, and those already explored. Part II discusses conditions under which oil is produced and describes features particular to Russian oil production, associated problems and technologies, including their engineering and economic aspects. Part III highlights the background, current state, and operational problems of the oil transportation system of the Federation and other countries of the former Soviet Union - one of the world's largest energy systems. Also reviewed are the technical state and operational reliability of the main pipeline network, including a general description of the pipeline system, design and construction of oil pipelines, repair and maintenance, and economic and control problems.

This book examines Russia’s capacity to respond to a changing world through the lens of the country’s oil industry. Against a backdrop of social, political and climatic change, Indra Overland and Nina Poussenkova present a systematic analysis of how modern energy developments in the form of shale oil, offshore oil and the global energy transition are handled.

"Presidents George Bush and Vladimir Putin will hold a summit at the end of September that will focus on economic and other ties between the United States and Russia. The two presidents have long recognized the central position of energy in our bilateral relations, and in that sphere, nothing is as critical as oil. Today Russia may again be the largest oil exporter in the world, but very little yet comes to the United States. Russia's oil industry is dominated by rich and aggressive young private companies. Generally, they are eager to deal with foreigners, but despite significant state reforms they often are still inhibited by a dilapidated, state-controlled delivery system and a residue of traditional thinking and institutions. Many of Russia's as-yet-unresolved post-Soviet prob-lems exploded in mid-2003 when the prosecutor general's office attacked Yukos, the country's most modernized, productive and pro-American private oil company. Thus even as Washington and American oil industry leaders actively sought alternatives to unstable sources in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, basic questions re-emerged in Russia about the privatizations of the 1990s, the security of private property, the mixing of law and politics, and the exercise of power in the Kremlin. Today Russians, with the support of American and European allies, must create conditions that will welcome the foreign funds, technology, and expertise needed to develop the critical oil industry but also to lay foundations of law and infrastructure that will help make Russia a stable member of the world community. Americans must decide how much involvement Russia can constructively absorb to promote not only short-term oil supplies but also long-term Russian development and broader U.S. foreign policy goals. Finally, the critical long-term lesson of 9/11 and other recent experiences for Americans is that even as we cultivate Russia as an ally and major source of oil, we must actively develop alternative sources of energy. In an unstable world, the United States must not forever be held hostage by other nations with their often very different cultures, institutions and interests."--Summary.

The world’s largest exporter of oil is facing mounting problems that could send shock waves through every major economy. Gustafson provides an authoritative account of the Russian oil industry from the last years of communism to its uncertain future. The stakes extend beyond global energy security to include the threat of a destabilized Russia.