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Date submitted2020-07-29
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Date accepted2021-03-29
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Date published2021-09-20
Critical analysis of methodological approaches to assessing sustainability of arctic oil and gas projects
Development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic is one of the priority tasks for the economy of the Russian Federation; however, such projects are associated with significant risks for the environment of nearby regions. Large-scale development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic should be based on the principles of sustainable development, which imply a balance between socio-economic benefits and environmental risks. The purpose of this study is to analyze the gaps in scientific knowledge on the issues of assessing sustainability of Arctic oil and gas projects (OGPs) and systematize the key problematic elements of such assessments. The analysis was carried out in terms of four key elements that determine the feasibility of implementing Arctic OGPs in the context of sustainable development: economic efficiency, social effects, environmental safety and technological availability. The methodology for conducting bibliometric analysis, which included more than 15.227 sources from the Scopus database over the period of 2005-2020, was based on PRISMA recommendations for compiling systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methodological problems of assessing sustainability of Arctic OGPs were mapped and divided into four key sectors: consideration of factors that determine sustainability; sustainability assessment; interpretation of assessment results; sustainability management. This map can serve as a basis for conducting a series of point studies, aimed at eliminating existing methodological shortcomings of the sustainable development concept with respect to Arctic OGPs.
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Date submitted2018-05-07
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Date accepted2018-07-10
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Date published2018-10-24
Justification of economic benefits of arctic LNG transportation by sea
Russian Arctic is the largest exporter of domestic natural gas, which brings significant income to the federal budget. The major share of natural gas extracted in the Arctic is transported via pipelines in the direction of European countries. For a number of reasons EU is continuously reducing its consumption of Russian natural gas, among other things by increasing the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG). All this is happening against the background of global markets refocusing from pipeline gas to LNG. An obvious solution here would be to increase LNG production in the Russian Arctic with its subsequent transportation by sea. Taking into account remote location of Arctic gas fields from the main sales markets, there is a need for comparative cost analysis of transportation via pipelines and LNG tankers. The authors developed a method of assessing the costs of pipeline and sea transportation under comparable conditions. Calculations have been made for gas transportation to Germany, Italy, Turkey and China. As a result, it has been demonstrated that sea transportation of 1,000 m 3 of natural gas is cheaper than pipeline transportation by the average value of 106.3 USD (–40.2 %) across all the routes in question. Performed calculations prove the economic benefits of sea transportation of Arctic LNG to the existing and potential markets for natural gas. Such results are justified by the need of rational replacement of pipeline gas by LNG in European markets (especially in Southern Europe, where LNG has a greater competitive advantage) and increasing export of liquefied natural gas to the Asia-Pacific Region. Suggested measures will allow to reduce the costs of sea LNG transportation, which will give Arctic natural gas a competitive edge on the global and regional gas markets.
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Date submitted2014-11-27
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Date accepted2015-01-15
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Date published2015-10-26
Socio-economic potential of large-scale projects to develop offshore oil and gas: risks and stakeholder expectations
- Authors:
- A. E. Cherepovitsyn
The development of the Arctic shelf is a strategic long-term objective of the energy development of the Russian Federation. At the present time, resource and economic potential of offshore oil and gas development projects is huge. However, it is constrained by the complexity of developing offshore oil and gas resources due to climatic, geological and technological conditions. In addition, the current unstable situation with world oil prices is also a constraint on largescale involvement in the industrial development of offshore oil and gas resources. The aim of the research is to determine socioeconomic potential of large-scale projects to develop oil fields in the Arctic shelf of Russia. The article presents the peculiarities of developing offshore fields, which are characterized by severe climatic conditions, high environmental risks, unique technological solutions, lack of infrastructure in coastal areas. A comparative analysis of projects to develop land and shelf is performed. The regional authorities’ and businesses capability of implementing large-scale projects to develop offshore fields on economic, social and environmental criteria is identified. The positive and negative effects of socio-economic development of the territory implementing projects of hydrocarbon field development are evaluated. A schematic diagram of the socio-economic potential of hydrocarbon resources development projects reflecting the opportunities and risks of such projects from the perspective of key stakeholders is developed. A set of strategic objectives to successfully implement projects in the Arctic shelf of Russia are proposed. The findings of the research can be used by the departments of energy, industry and mineral resources in the preparation of long-term strategic development programs for the oil and gas industry.