Prospects for Russian Oil in the 1990s: Reserves and Costs

Abstract

A senior American economist and geographer specializing in energy and regional development issues examines engineering and geological constraints on Russian oil production for the decade of the 1990s and their implications for production costs and exports. The study is based on the Russian and world literature, as well as recent personal interviews with Russian specialists. It critically evaluates the relationship between general economic conditions and the health of the oil industry and assesses the realism of a state long-term plan for oil production in light of reserve characteristics and production cost trends in the 1990s. 2 maps, 7 graphs, 5 tables, 37 references.