Soviets look to natural gas for energy production gains

Journal Article · Mon Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5780365

Under economic directives approved at the USSR's recent 26th Communist Party Congress, natural gas well spearhead Soviet energy-production gains throughout the 1980s. If the specific goals for 1985 and the broad objectives for 1990 are achieved, gas will replace oil as the USSR's major fuel. During 1981-1985, gas flow will increase by 38-47% to 21.2-22.6 trillion CF/yr, according to the government's latest plan. This figure compares with Moscow's projected rises of only 2.8-7% for oil and 7.5-11.7% for coal. On the energy-equivalent basis, natural gas represented more than 27% of Soviet fuel output in 1980 - up from 19.1% in 1970 and 7.9% in 1960. Even if crude and condensate production fails to rise in 1981-85, the planned boost in gas flow alone would increase total hydrocarbon production by 14-18%. Western Siberia will set the pace for Soviet gas-industry development through 2000; its 1981 goal of 6.8 TCF is 23.7% higher than its 1980 production. The USSR's explored (proved plus probable) gas reserves could be as high as 1.13-1.2 quadrillion CF, with Western Siberia accounting for 70%.

• OSTI ID: 5780365
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 79; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020100 -- Petroleum-- Reserves-- (-1989)
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030100 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves-- (-1989)
030300* -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INDUSTRY
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
PRODUCTION
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SIBERIA
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
USSR