Approaches to Assessing the Strategic Sustainability of High-Risk Offshore Oil and Gas Projects

Alexey Cherepovitsyn,Nadejda Komendantova,Anna Tsvetkova

doi:10.3390/jmse8120995

Abstract

In the face of today’s global challenges, oil and gas companies must define long-term priorities and opportunities in implementing complex Arctic offshore projects, taking into account environmental, economic, technological and social aspects. In this regard, ensuring strategic sustainability is the basis for long-term development. The aim of the study is to analyze existing approaches to the concept of “strategic sustainability” of an offshore Arctic oil and gas project and to develop a methodological approach to assessing the strategic sustainability of offshore oil and gas projects. In the theoretical part of the study, the approaches to defining strategic sustainability were reviewed, and their classification was completed, and the most appropriate definition of strategic sustainability for an offshore oil and gas project was chosen. The method of hierarchy analysis was used for strategic sustainability assessment. Specific criteria have been proposed to reflect the technical, geological, investment, social and environmental characteristics important to the offshore oil and gas project. The strategic sustainability of 5 offshore oil and gas projects was analyzed using an expert survey as part of the hierarchy analysis method. Recommendations were made on the development of an offshore project management system to facilitate the emergence of new criteria and improve the quality of the strategic sustainability assessment of offshore projects in the Arctic.

Highlights

Over the last decade, the global trend in the majority of oil and gas producing countries has been to reduce oil and gas production in traditional oil and gas production centers
The full range of offshore competencies currently lacking in many Russian oil and gas companies and in the country as a whole may be in demand for the implementation of offshore Arctic projects
The survey was impersonal, 14 experts were selected, and the level of positions ranged from chief specialist to head of department

Summary

Introduction

The global trend in the majority of oil and gas producing countries has been to reduce oil and gas production in traditional oil and gas production centers. Up to 25% of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves are concentrated in the Arctic, guaranteeing energy security for many European countries and the world for decades to come [1]. The estimated hydrocarbon potential of the Russian Arctic shelf for recoverable reserves is 9579.3 million tons of fuel equivalent [2,3]. Russia has been actively developing the mineral and raw material potential of the Arctic [4,5]. The competitive advantage achieved in Russia’s oil and gas sector on the global energy market can ensure the stable development of the national economy and social sphere and the formation and replenishment of budgets at all levels. Achievement of the planned production levels is possible with oil reserves replacement in the amount of more than 13–15 billion tons [6]

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Discussion

Conclusion