USSR: development of its natural gas industry

Journal Article · Mon Oct 22 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5935085

Lippitt, II, H F

Natural gas production in Russia currently stands at 13 tcf compared to US production of 20 tcf. Russian production is expected to increase to 15.4 tcf in 1980 and will surpass the US production total by 1985 (estimated 24.72 tcf). Natural gas reserves in the USSR are estimated at 990 tcf, amounting to a 72-yr life index at the 1976 production level. Natural gas exports are running nearly 700 billion cu ft. Key judgments from a new Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) study of Russian gas reserves and production are reviewed. The CIA expects Russian natural gas production to continue to grow rapidly and to provide the USSR with a growing source of energy for domestic use or export through the 1980's. Soviet gas industry development through the 1980's will be focused in west Siberia. Problems in accomplishing the expected development are identified as lagging pipeline capacity; inadequate compressor power; rising gas extraction costs; inadequate infrastructure and technical difficulties in some regions; older fields in relation to investment criteria; and pipe production deficiencies. Overall, the CIA does not consider the Soviet gas supply as a total solution to Soviet energy problems caused by a future decline in oil production.

• OSTI ID: 5935085
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 77:42; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030100* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves-- (-1989)
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
ECONOMICS
EUROPE
EXPORTS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INDUSTRY
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
NORTH AMERICA
PIPELINES
PLANNING
PRODUCTION
RESERVES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
US CIA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
USSR