Caspian Region Challenges1

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Caspian Region is to all intents and purposes the birth place of the oil industry. Following the break up of the USSR and the ensuing conflicts much of the production facilities and infrastructure were not afforded a comprehensive maintenance and monitoring programme. With the independence of the oil producing states, the impetus of oil exploration and production has again gathered pace with many alliances being established between oil companies and between the oil industry and governments. The increase in production due to new fields and the improved production of existing fields has dictated that the methods of bulk crude oil transportation have had to be improved or put in place. Much of the focus on the oil transportation infrastructure has been on the renewal and repair of existing pipeline systems and proposals for new pipeline routes. Writing or updating existing contingency plans for pipeline routes as well as the coastline surrounding the Caspian Sea is also an area of great importance when considering the pristine nature of the aquatic environment. Further development in the Caspian Region is bringing together more oil industry players and governments. The contingency planning for such developments is in the fore of everyone's mind.