Oljeutvinning i Nenets autonome okrug - interessefellesskap og interessemotsetninger

Abstract

sen@gmail.com Abstract: Oil Production in Nenets Autonomous Okrug – Common Interests and Conflicts of Interest While reindeer herding is an important way of life of the indigenous people in Nenets Autonomous Okrug, there are significant oil deposits in the area, and those involved in traditional activities are competing with oil companies for use of the land. While oil extraction is a main source of income for the Russian state, preserving the traditional way of life of its indigenous people is an explicit goal of the Russian authorities. The aim of this article is to examine the complex situation among the oil companies, Nenets people and local authorities. As this article shows, dialogue and, to some extent, cooperation have already been established in this area due to the many common interests of the stakeholders. Most interviewees painted a fairly positive picture of the coexistence, but there can be no doubt that the stakeholders have different interests, and hence not all problems are readily resolved. Many of the laws and projects aimed at supporting the indigenous way of life have been poorly implemented. Moreover, negotiations between reindeer herders and oil companies are characterized by uneven stakeholder power.