Russian Gas Research Articles

The Geopolitical Risk and Strategic Uncertainty of Green Growth after the Ukraine Invasion: How the Circular Economy Can Decrease the Market Power of and Resource Dependency on Critical Minerals

Following the invasion of Ukraine, there is a call to replace Russian gas and oil with green electric energy. A prime sector subject to electrification is the transportation sector. Consequently, access to the critical minerals for electrification has become an important strategic issue in the electric vehicle industry. Our analysis indicates that the markets for scarce and critical minerals, like cobalt, graphite, lithium, and rare earth elements, are in a highly concentrated number of countries. China, a strategic partner of Russia, has a dominant power position in both graphite and rare earth elements and is a dominant player in the processing of copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. Furthermore, at least 70% of cobalt, graphite, and rare earth element resources are in corrupt or very corrupt states. Transportation sector electrification might therefore increase Europe’s and the USA’s resource dependency on totalitarian, corrupt, and unstable countries. The surging resource dependency on China, Russia’s most important strategic partner, intensifies the geopolitical risk to the green transition. We suggest strategies like vertical control of supply chains, specific technology and infrastructure investments, innovation of other green energy sources, and exploration of critical minerals in other countries. Substitution and closed-loop technology also reduce resource dependency and geopolitical risk. However, closed-loop recycling cannot compensate for the short-run growth in the electric vehicle markets. Thus, the circular economy will reduce but not eliminate geopolitical risk. Countries, supply chains, and companies should examine the geopolitical risk and strategic uncertainty associated with different green energy sources and technology.

Market Size and Supply Disruptions: Sharing the Pain of a Potential Russian Gas Shut-off to the European Union

We assess the supply-side effects on European Union (EU) economic activity if Russian gas imports were to suddenly cease. Unlike other studies, we account for the global scope of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. In the absence of frictions, an open-economy, multi-sector general equilibrium model suggests that the adverse economic impact on the EU shrinks five-fold if integration with the global LNG market is considered. While greater integration provides a buffer for the EU through trade, the flip side is that other LNG importers (such as Japan, South Korea, and Pakistan) see adverse effects from higher prices.

The Economic Impacts on Germany of a Potential Russian Gas Shutoff

The Economic Impacts on Germany of a Potential Russian Gas Shutoff

A Transatlantic Energy and Climate Pact Is Now More Necessary Than Ever

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has pushed Europe to re-design its energy map at speed. Amid this unprecedented energy overhaul, the EU and the United States have flagged their commitment to reinforce their bilateral energy partnership, starting with short-term measures to boost US liquefied natural gas supplies to Europe to promptly replace part of Russian gas imports. This article develops five issues around which a stronger transatlantic energy and climate pact might be built.

RUSSIAN GAS IMPORT IN THE GERMANY SOCIO-POLITICAL DISCOURSE

The purpose of the research. This paper determines the importance of Russian gas imports for the German economy at the present stage, and also analyzes the assessment of Russian-German energy cooperation by German political leaders and the German media. Analysis of statistical information for 2019-2022 shows that the import of Russian gas is not only vital for Germany, but also an economically profitable enterprise. Replacement of Russian gas with other, in particular, renewable energy sources is not expected in the near future. Results. Based on the analysis of the assessment of Russian-German cooperation in the field of gas supplies in the socio-political discourse of Germany, it can be concluded that there is no consensus on this issue among representatives of the German political elites and the media. As a result, we can conclude that Russian-German energy cooperation at the present stage is developing according to the laws of political rivalry, which is detrimental to the economy of both states.

SPECIAL COMMENTARY How Electricity Can Break the Russian Gas Supply Stranglehold on the EU

SPECIAL COMMENTARY How Electricity Can Break the Russian Gas Supply Stranglehold on the EU

Утилизация попутного нефтяного газа в России: методы и перспективы производства продуктов газохимии.

From an economic point of view, the flaring of associated petroleum gas (APG) entails significant losses of a resource that can be usefully used. In addition, it has a negative impact on the environment. Russian oil and gas companies are actively engaged in the APG utilization, but the question of choosing the most effective and reasonable solutions for its useful use remains open. The purpose of the study is to analyze the known and used methods of APG utilization in the world, the level and directions of APG utilization by Russian oil and gas companies, as well as to assess the prospects for the development of APG deep processing projects based on Russian oil and gas companies to produce gas chemistry products. The general situation on the utilization of APG in Russia was considered, the study showed that the volume of flaring has been increasing in absolute terms over the past 5 years, due to the fact that companies do not have time to develop infrastructure for gas utilization, as well as with the growth of oil production in Russia. The analysis of the level and main trends of APG utilization by the largest Russian oil and gas companies was carried out, which showed that companies are already engaged in the development of the gas chemical segment, however, they often use simpler methods of utilization (injection of APG into the reservoir, generation of electricity, injection of APG into Unified Gas Supply System). The study of the gas chemistry market showed the prospects for growth in demand for gas chemistry products at least until 2030, which confirms the relevance of the development of this direction. For a complex assessment of the prospects for the creation of gas chemical production facilities on the basis of Russian oil and gas companies, a SWOT analysis was carried out, which helped to systematize ideas about the potential for the development of the gas chemical direction by oil and gas companies. Methods of statistical research, methods of comparative and causal analysis, strategic and managerial analysis, as well as the method of SWOT analysis were used to conduct the study.

Партнерство государства и бизнеса для обеспечения экономической устойчивости сложных промышленных нефтегазовых систем в Арктике.

The development of the Arctic's unique hydrocarbon resources is the basis for Russia's long-term economic stability and energy security. Hydrocarbon production in the harsh conditions of the Far North is associated with many environmental, technological and organizational difficulties, in this regard, mutually beneficial cooperation between the state and oil and gas market participants in the development of complex industrial oil and gas systems is of particular relevance. Of paramount importance is the development of integration mechanisms to achieve a high level of technological equipment of the Arctic oil and gas complex. The basis for the formation of partnerships is the improvement of the institutional environment for coordinating the multiple interests of the state and business and increasing the economic stability of the Arctic oil and gas systems in the long term. For the purpose of the research, a content analysis of Russian and foreign literature devoted to the processes of combining public and private potential to solve production and management tasks in the mineral resource complex was carried out, the regulatory and legal support for strategic management of the Russian oil and gas sector was analyzed. To study the prospects for the development of strategic partnerships, general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, decomposition of factors, elements of situational analysis and strategic planning are involved. The article considers the main priorities of Russia's state policy in the implementation of the oil and gas complex in the Arctic; examines the directions of formation of strategic partnerships between the state and business to ensure the sustainability of industrial oil and gas systems in the face of global challenges; identifies limitations and formulated prospects for the development of the analyzed types of cooperative forms; presents a conceptual scheme of the organization of technological polygons in the Arctic.

Increasing the social responsibility of oil and gas companies in the context of the green economy formation: Russian and Western experience

Purpose: the main idea of the article is to prove that the level of corporate social responsibility (hereafter CSR) of large gas and oil companies can be improved. This is a necessary condition for providing sustainable development of these companies because on the one hand the new paradigm of their development considers transition to low-carbon technologies, on the other hand, the main activity of gas and oil companies is associated with natural resources consumption, which inevitably leads to certain negative environmental consequences. At the same time, it is these consequences that trigger the process of establishing a green economy.Methods: the authors conducted a comparative and iterative analysis of the CSR development process of four major Western and four major Russian oil and gas companies.Results: large oil and gas companies around the world are deeply involved into the implementation of various areas of CSR in different directions to ensure long-term sustainable development. Our analysis showed that CSR areas are different and correspond to the basic set of CSR activities. Also, there are more advanced activities, though this applies only to individual companies. Oil companies have demonstrated certain features in their CSR practice, such as the variety of issues being addressed, the wide presence of intersectoral partnerships, and interaction with social entrepreneurs. However, not all companies are equally involved in the implementation of CSR.Conclusions and Relevance: the results of research allow us to determine the main reserves for improving the competitiveness of the analysed companies. The practical application of the results of this study is possible in the field of corporate governance, strategic planning for oil and gas companies. The results of the study are also of interest from the point of view of the development of scientific ideas about modern ways of implementing corporate social responsibility and the specifics of its implementation in the oil and gas industry.

ANALYSIS OF THE RESPONSE OF THE BALTIC COUNTRIES TO THE CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

This study aims to see the response of the Baltic countries in dealing with the Russia-Ukraine conflict through their foreign policies, where these countries are part of the European Union. The baltic countries also felt a significant impact due to the heating up of relations between the two countries. The Baltic states consisting of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia gave some of their responses to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict by strengthening cooperative relations with NATO. This response is a form of the security dilemma experienced by the Baltic countries. The response of other Baltic countries is also shown by several foreign policies such as stopping the import of Russian gas into their country. Even though their country is very dependent on Russia for their domestic gas energy needs. This dynamic will be discussed in this research using related theories and concepts. This study uses a qualitative method by obtaining data from related sources such as official websites, journals, news portals and official documents from related institutions.

Fuel crisis: slash demand in three sectors to protect economies and climate.

Global dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal can be cut by 20–60% and greenhouse-gas emissions by 2.9% within one year, with the right policy support. Global dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal can be cut by 20–60% and greenhouse-gas emissions by 2.9% within one year, with the right policy support.

How are Hybrid Terms Discussed in the Recent Scholarly Literature?

Hybrid threats range from cyber-attacks on critical systems to disruption of critical services (such as energy and financial services), influencing public confidence, and polarization within society. Awareness, resilience, and response to threats are central to countering hybrid threats. Hybrid warfare is not a new phenomenon, it has existed throughout the history of warfare, however, hybrid threat and hybrid warfare were re-defined as the western concept, as discussed in this paper, in 2014. Securing vital functions of society, i.e., managing overall security includes preparing for threats, and managing and recovering from disruptions and emergencies. Energy policy, which relies on cross-border energy transmission infrastructures (e.g., Russian gas line imports to Europe), can be a tool to influence foreign policy (Geo-economics). Trolls and cyber weapons can be used to impact information and elections, and their activity are based on supranational Information Technology (IT) infrastructure. The vital functions of society are prime targets for political, economic, and military pressure from external actors. Hybrid warfare deliberately blurs the boundaries between peacetime and wartime, which makes it difficult for targeted organizations and countries to plan appropriate and timely countermeasures. The threat of hybrid disruptions can be addressed with resilience. Multifaceted hybrid threats require planning and testing one’s defensive possibilities, so that the various actors of society will be able to respond to possible hybrid attacks and commit all areas of society for an effective defence. Identifying and understanding hybrid warfare is challenging. Situation awareness is a prerequisite, so societies and their organization can meet these challenges.

Geopolitical Rivalry Between Russia and the United States for the European Gas Market

Over the past decades, the European gas market has attracted the attention of many extra-regional actors. The geopolitical rivalry for the European gas market intensified after an increase in shale gas production in the United States, which was interested in expanding its supply to Europe. The development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector intensified the struggle for the European gas market. The U.S., Qatar and Algeria, began to take steps to squeeze Russian gas out of Europe. This exacerbated the competition for the gas market in Europe, where LNG has already occupied a certain part. Moreover, in recent years, the U.S. and Qatar have developed ambitious plans aimed at increasing LNG production, expecting in the future to radically change the balance of power on the European market. To this end, the U.S. has launched a campaign against the Russian supplies. In addition, sanctions were imposed on the Nord Stream–2 gas pipeline, which prevented the project from starting operations. Being involved in the geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the United States, the EU countries supported the U.S. course, and proclaimed the policy of reducing dependence on Russian gas. In the long term, they want to give it up completely. This goal was prioritised in the EU gas policy. However, in 2021–2022 this strategy rapidly increased prices on the gas market in Europe, which negatively impacted European economies. Despite the economic losses, the EU did not abandon its course of refusing supplies of hydrocarbon resources from Russia.

Guest Editorial: Will the Ukraine War Derail Europe’s Energy Transition?

As Europe struggles to balance energy security and energy independence following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, uncertainty looms. By turning its back on Russian oil and gas, will Europe speed up or slow down its energy transition, and what will be the impact on the global climate change crisis? These are complicated questions that require a whole-system view and depend on the extent and duration of the war. Energy Security European policymakers are determined to slash the EU’s Russian gas dependence by two-thirds this year—a tall order. The replacement will be painful and costly, with increased LNG imports taking center stage. Energy security ambition hinges on additional policies such as the International Energy Agency’s 10-point plan recommendations. Beyond nudging consumer behavior toward lower energy use, there is scope for a concerted policy push for energy efficiency, a postponement of nuclear retirements, and extensive renewable energy buildout. Nonfossil supply and energy efficiency will accelerate; however, counterforces are at work: burning more coal to replace natural gas; and the increasing cost of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels through higher commodity prices. To this extent, the push for energy security works against the transition. Modeling the Transition DNV’s system dynamics energy transition model provides insight on how economics, technologies, sectors, geographies, and policies influence one another. The model assessed how the changes seen since 24 February 2022 could influence Europe’s energy transition. Significant uncertainties fall from the war’s duration, possible escalation, and whether strengthened countermeasures completely stop the export of Russian oil and gas to the continent. Europe’s Fit for 55 climate plan commitment will likely endure, though public reaction to energy affordability may challenge its momentum in the short term and other imponderables remain: Will a new cold war emerge or a calmer détente result? With these in mind, we modeled a scenario where Europe’s energy system discontinues Russian gas imports, with zero Russian gas from 2025 onward.

Record liquefied natural gas prices possible again this winter as Europe seeks to replace Russian gas

Record liquefied natural gas prices possible again this winter as Europe seeks to replace Russian gas

Coalescence with component -nash in Ukrainian internet issues

Development and enrichment are constant processes of language. Not an exception, and Ukrainian, whose vocabulary is constantly increasing. This happens both at the expense of neologisms, changes in the lexical meaning of the word, etc., and with the help of occasionalisms. Unfortunately, new words do not appear only in peacetime and are not always associated with positive concepts, word play, rich imagination of the author. Increasingly, we are witnessing the fact that occasionalisms form their own world, the Orwellian newspeak, that is, they have a propagandistic, manipulative connotation, especially if its creators are representatives of the moscow authorities. The events in Ukraine during 2014–2019 (the brazen annexation of Crimea by russia, the formation of the «dnr», the «lnr», attempts to join the federation all south and east of Ukraine, which caused resonance in the civilized world, albeit insufficient, including the energy dependence of the leading states from russian gas) have led to considerable social changes, including in the field of philology and journalism. One of the neologisms that became active in various texts related to the russo-Ukrainian war was the word Krymnash, whose appearance is related to the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by russia, which makes its meaning different in the texts depending on the parties to the conflict. If for russia it is a matter of pride, a desire to assert their dubious geopolitical successes, then Ukrainians use words with a similar component in an exposing, satirical context. Neologisms related to the debunking of moscow myths are especially powerful when representatives of the federation appropriate territories or persons that concern them only indirectly. The token Krуmnash has become a model for the construction of the turn out to be the case, considered at these statistics: name geographic regions, continents, islands, seas, rivers etc.; countries; surnames of famous people. It is important to find out about the productiveness of the word model, who will continue, the basis for the new name, approved in a lexical-syntactic way. Keywords: word formation, lexical-syntactic way, Krymnash (Crimea is our), language of mass-media, occasionalisms.

Analyzing the impact of mergers and acquisitions on the profitability of seller company shares in the oil and gas industry of Russia

Subject. We investigate the behavior of profitability of seller's shares in relation to key accompanying events in mergers and acquisitions in the Russian oil and gas industry. Objectives. The aim is to determine the nature of the impact of dates of merger or acquisition announcement and completion on the profitability of shares of a Russian oil and gas company acting as a seller. Methods. The study rests on the analysis of mergers and acquisitions, using the event study methods. Results. The paper shows that announcement and execution of a merger or acquisition transaction positively affect the profitability of seller’s shares in the oil and gas sector of Russia. We constructed models that indicate an increase in the profitability of seller companies relative to projected profitability without a merger or acquisition transaction. Conclusions. The findings are of practical significance and can be taken into account by financial managers when planning mergers and acquisitions and forecasting their impact on stock returns. Stock market participants may also value the obtained data.

Using LNG in Russia's Gas Supply System: Experience and Prospects

Using LNG in Russia's Gas Supply System: Experience and Prospects

The Role of Reducing Global Methane Emissions in Achieving Carbon Neutrality: Russia's Interests

The article analyzes the policy of reducing methane emissions as one of the directions of joint efforts of countries to curb the pace of climate change. Climate changes caused by the accumulation of methane in the atmosphere directly affect the socio-economic and political processes taking place in various regions of the world: food security, water supply, the development of military-political conflicts, the growth of international migration flows, etc. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the need and identify potential opportunities for Russia to reduce methane (CH4) emissions in the oil and gas sector. A brief description of the results of the Global Climate Summit SOR26, breakthrough solutions and problems in the field of reducing methane emissions is given. Based on the IEA's interactive database, the indicators of CH4 emissions in the oil and gas sector of the largest countries and the main categories of emissions in the oil and gas sector of Russia are described. Legislative initiatives to reduce methane emissions in the EU and Russia are considered. The article concludes that it is expedient for the Russian Federation to participate in international in international cooperation to achieve global goals in this area, in particular from the point of view of increasing the commercial attractiveness of Russian oil and gas projects and the development of green financing.

German chemical makers fear Russian gas supply cuts

German chemical makers fear Russian gas supply cuts