By; Tristan Jensen
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Russia, being the world's largest country, is also one of its richest in terms of raw materials and natural resources for energy production. Russia constitutes around 20% of the global oil production and extraction of natural gas, holding vast quantities of both resources.
As of January 2013, Russia held the largest proven reserves of natural gas in the world, and is the world's second-largest producer of dry natural gas.
Russia was the third-largest producer of liquid fuels in 2012, following the United States and Saudi Arabia. During that year, liquid fuels production averaged 10.4 million barrels per day.
This abundance in readily available energy has done much for Russia, both economically and strategically. Russia’s energy sector plays an essential role for the Russian economy, its energy security and global hydrocarbon supplies. Providing the state with most of its energy needs, this supply of energy resources has allowed Russia to be self-sustainable .
In terms of other raw materials, Russia holds great deposits of iron ore, diamonds, titanium, lead, manganese, chromium, copper, tin, nickel, platinum, tungsten, phosphates, and gold. The huge swathe of forest land contained in Siberia a near limitless amount of timber. Russia is the second-largest producer of dry natural gas and third-largest liquid fuels producer in the world. Despite its significant reserves of coal, it produces only modest amount of coal. Russia's economy is highly dependent on its hydrocarbons, and oil and gas revenues account for more than 50% of the federal budget revenues.
Renewable energy production is relatively limited because of Russia's wealth of traditional energy resources. Hydropower is the most used form of renewable energy in Russia, with 102 hydropower plants with capacities of over 100 MW. Geothermal energy is the second most used form of renewable energy in Russia but represents less than 1% of the total energy production. The production of solar energy is essentially nonexistent in Russia, with the exception of a new 5MW pilot plant at Kosh-Agach. It is a similar situation with wind energy, with no large scale efforts underway. The production of biofuels is under development, with the expectation of 40 million tons of exports annually.
As of January 2013, Russia held the largest proven reserves of natural gas in the world, and is the world's second-largest producer of dry natural gas.
Russia was the third-largest producer of liquid fuels in 2012, following the United States and Saudi Arabia. During that year, liquid fuels production averaged 10.4 million barrels per day.
This abundance in readily available energy has done much for Russia, both economically and strategically. Russia’s energy sector plays an essential role for the Russian economy, its energy security and global hydrocarbon supplies. Providing the state with most of its energy needs, this supply of energy resources has allowed Russia to be self-sustainable .
In terms of other raw materials, Russia holds great deposits of iron ore, diamonds, titanium, lead, manganese, chromium, copper, tin, nickel, platinum, tungsten, phosphates, and gold. The huge swathe of forest land contained in Siberia a near limitless amount of timber. Russia is the second-largest producer of dry natural gas and third-largest liquid fuels producer in the world. Despite its significant reserves of coal, it produces only modest amount of coal. Russia's economy is highly dependent on its hydrocarbons, and oil and gas revenues account for more than 50% of the federal budget revenues.
Renewable energy production is relatively limited because of Russia's wealth of traditional energy resources. Hydropower is the most used form of renewable energy in Russia, with 102 hydropower plants with capacities of over 100 MW. Geothermal energy is the second most used form of renewable energy in Russia but represents less than 1% of the total energy production. The production of solar energy is essentially nonexistent in Russia, with the exception of a new 5MW pilot plant at Kosh-Agach. It is a similar situation with wind energy, with no large scale efforts underway. The production of biofuels is under development, with the expectation of 40 million tons of exports annually.
A few facts about Russian energy
- Electricity - production: 1.057 trillion kWh
- Electricity - from fossil fuels: 67.7% of total capacity
- Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 17.8% of total capacity
- Crude oil - proven reserves: 80 billion barrels
- Natural gas - proven reserves: 47.8 trillion cubic meters
Russia's oil and gas producing regions
Western Siberia is Russia's main oil producing region, accounting for around 6.4 million bbl/d of liquids production, nearly two-thirds of Russia's total production. While this region is mature, West Siberian production potential is still significant but will depend on improving production economics at fields that are more complex and that contain a significant portion of remaining reserves.
Volga-Ural was the largest producing region of the Soviet Union until the late 1970s, when it was surpassed by Western Siberia. Today, this region is a distant-second producing region, accounting for about 22% of Russia's total output.
Eastern Siberia is becoming central to continued oil production and expansion efforts as the traditional oil-producing regions in decline. The region's potential was increased with the inauguration of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline.
The Arctic Circle region is located in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous region and it straddles Western Siberia. This region is mostly known for gas production. Crude oil development is relatively new for the region. The region is facing transportation infrastructure constraints.
North Caucasus is a mature region that consists of a number of small fields. LUKoil has been actively developing some of the deposits situated in the North Caspian, such as the Yurii Korchagin, launched in 2010.
Timan-Pechora and the Barents Sea are situated in north-western Russia. Much like those in the North Caucasus, liquids fields in these areas are relatively small. However, producers in these areas can take advantage of the developed infrastructure and can maximize their export potential.
Western Siberia is Russia's main oil producing region, accounting for around 6.4 million bbl/d of liquids production, nearly two-thirds of Russia's total production. While this region is mature, West Siberian production potential is still significant but will depend on improving production economics at fields that are more complex and that contain a significant portion of remaining reserves.
Volga-Ural was the largest producing region of the Soviet Union until the late 1970s, when it was surpassed by Western Siberia. Today, this region is a distant-second producing region, accounting for about 22% of Russia's total output.
Eastern Siberia is becoming central to continued oil production and expansion efforts as the traditional oil-producing regions in decline. The region's potential was increased with the inauguration of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline.
The Arctic Circle region is located in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous region and it straddles Western Siberia. This region is mostly known for gas production. Crude oil development is relatively new for the region. The region is facing transportation infrastructure constraints.
North Caucasus is a mature region that consists of a number of small fields. LUKoil has been actively developing some of the deposits situated in the North Caspian, such as the Yurii Korchagin, launched in 2010.
Timan-Pechora and the Barents Sea are situated in north-western Russia. Much like those in the North Caucasus, liquids fields in these areas are relatively small. However, producers in these areas can take advantage of the developed infrastructure and can maximize their export potential.