Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Oil and gas industries in central and eastern Europe and in the USSR; Status, problems, and prospects

Journal Article · · Energy Systems and Policy; (United States)
OSTI ID:7281123
 [1]
  1. General Energy Section, Energy Div., United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneve 10 (CH)
The political changes in central and eastern Europe and the former USSR during the period 1989/1991 and the start of a transition process to market-oriented economic systems were accompanied by serious problems in the energy and fuel complex of these countries. This paper shows that the serious domestic energy supply crisis in the former USSR, which is a result of the deficiency of existing technology, and the current organization of energy production cannot maintain exports to central and east European countries at the level of the 1980s. Key elements of oil and gas industries in central and eastern Europe that are believed to constrain the future energy development of the region are examined. Energy efficiency could, however, considerably reduce energy consumption and improve the environmental situation in the region. Using official information transmitted by ECE governments to the secretariat of the Economic Commission for Europe, estimates are presented for oil and gas production, consumption, and trade until year 2010. The estimates point to the risk that the former USSR might have to import 32 mtoe of liquid products in 2010. Foreign investments could play a crucial role in the solution of oil and gas supplies and environmental problems and in accelerating efficiency growth in central and east European countries and the former USSR.
OSTI ID:
7281123
Journal Information:
Energy Systems and Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Systems and Policy; (United States) Vol. 15:2; ISSN 0090-8347; ISSN ESYPB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English