Russia’s Arctic Oil Transportation Export Strategy

Abstract

The work describes the results of the study of the Arctic strategy of Russia’s oil exports, which is formed as a result of changes in the economic and geographical position of Russia (caused by the collapse of the USSR) and the problems of relations between the countries of the post-Soviet space. The authors understand the offshore oil transportation strategies of Russia’s export as purposeful activities, intending to create a set of offshore oil terminals located on the Russian coasts as well as oil pipeline systems suitable for running only through the Russian territory so as to ensure oil export. A comparative economic and geographical analysis of Russia’s existing offshore oil transportation export strategies (Baltic, Black Sea, Pacific, Arctic) is carried out. Their common features are highlighted (solving a set of tasks: they contribute to Russia’s leaving the zone of influence of transit countries; they contribute to the geographical diversification of sales markets; they increase the profitability of oil exports by reducing transportation routes and allocating export groups of oil quality; and they stimulate the development of a new resource base for solving regional socio-economic problems), as are the distinctive features of the Arctic strategy (focus on the transportation of oil produced in the Arctic region itself; initial orientation to sea transportation of oil based on oil terminals without trunk oil pipelines; the presence of a natural resource base ensuring the functioning of oil pipelines of other maritime strategies; performing not only the oil transportation function but also the ability to stimulate the transformation of the Northern Sea Route into an international transport highway as a whole). Along with the main factors influencing the formation of the Arctic Strategy, the following constraining factors are highlighted: the stagnation of oil prices on the world market and, as a result, Russia’s signing the OPEC+ Agreements aimed at reducing oil production; Russian oil companies implementing international standards that regulate the principles of sustainable development; and complex and poorly studied environmental conditions for the development of the resource base and the oil transportation region. The importance of Russia’s relations with the countries of Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region is emphasized in this strategy.