Towards a more coherent oil policy in Russia?

Abstract

Two recent trends have rekindled the debate concerning the place and strategy of Russia on the world oil scene. The first is the development of its oil production and the second is the gradual resumption of control of the country's oil policy by President Vladimir Putin's government. Will Russia be a key variable in world energy balances and could the nation, as some suggest and even desire, become an alternative supply to OPEC and/or challenge Saudi Arabia's position? If so, is that what Russia actually wants? In this study, we attempt to answer some of these important questions by assessing and comparing the capabilities of the producing countries, while studying Russia's aims and objectives for the petroleum sector in the future, when demand for energy supplies is forecast to rise considerably.

Gas market developments and their effect on relations between Russia and the EU

“…By announcing this strategy, Russia is suggesting that the European and Asian markets will be facing competition; whereas in reality, so long as there is no real worldwide gas market, and in view of transmission costs and prices, these reserves are relatively captive and can only be profitable in one of the two destinations. But if Russia succeeds in developing its Asian markets, it will obviously be better placed to exert influence on natural gas price formation at the international level (Boussena and Locatelli, 2005).…”

Competing Geopolitical Interests of China, Russia and the United States in Central Asia and the Caspian Region

“…Central Asian states" policies have given the U.S. extra leverage in its plans to further weaken Moscow"s control over energy in the region through Gazprom. 19…”

L’évolution du modèle pétrolier russe. Une interprétation en termes d’économie néo-institutionnelle

“…Si ce « nouveau » modèle organisationnel n'est pas encore parfaitement stabilisé et défini, il ne semble pourtant pas que l'on s'oriente vers un modèle de type OPEP. Ce dernier articule en effet propriété publique totale du capital des compagnies et un monopole d'accès aux ressources pour ces compagnies, soit une fermeture totale du territoire aux investisseurs étrangers (Boussena et Locatelli, 2005). Différents éléments tendraient à le prouver.…”