Leslie Dienes

Observations on the Problematic Potential of Russian Oil and the Complexities of Siberia

An economic geographer and noted American observer of the Russian oil industry since the early 1970s examines the mid-term (15 to 20 years) sustainability of the current surge in oil production, particularly in light of the many complexities affecting the existing and potential petroleum resources of Siberia. Analysis and discussion cover the role of vertically integrated companies, the impact of geological and geographical constraints, the reserve pyramid, and significant aspects of the institutional and political environment, such as ownership, taxation, access to pipelines, export routes, and the role of foreign capital. Distinguishing West Siberia from the oil frontier of East Siberia and the Far East, the author argues that the present boom is not sustainable. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: L71, O13, O18. 1 figure, 2 tables, 83 references.

Prospects for Russian Oil in the 1990s: Reserves and Costs

A senior American economist and geographer specializing in energy and regional development issues examines engineering and geological constraints on Russian oil production for the decade of the 1990s and their implications for production costs and exports. The study is based on the Russian and world literature, as well as recent personal interviews with Russian specialists. It critically evaluates the relationship between general economic conditions and the health of the oil industry and assesses the realism of a state long-term plan for oil production in light of reserve characteristics and production cost trends in the 1990s. 2 maps, 7 graphs, 5 tables, 37 references.

PANEL ON NATIONALISM IN THE USSR: ENVIRONMENTAL AND TERRITORIAL ASPECTS

A panel of geographers, demographers, and political scientists discusses a broad range of issues related to the resurgence of nationalism in the USSR and its relationship to environmental protest and territorial disputes: the emergence of nationality politics; differential rates of nationality population growth and urbanization; various conceptions of (and levels of autonomy within) ethnic homelands; the spatial pattern of actual and potential territorial claims; linkages between environmentalism and nationalism (with an emphasis on the Baltic and Central Asian republics); parallels and differences between the USSR and other countries; and consequences of efforts to implement republic-level economic autonomy and khozraschet.

THE SOVIET OIL INDUSTRY IN THE TWELFTH FIVE-YEAR PLAN

The article briefly considers the question of conservation and oil displacement in recent years. It then focuses on the problem of petroleum supplies, on the factors affecting their expansion, and on Soviet efforts and plans in the field. Investment growth in the oil industry and its regional allocation in the 1980s and beyond are examined. The nature and thrust of the exploratory effort, its relationship to the new reserve classifications, and to prospects for the Soviet oil industry are analyzed. Finally, the causes of the current rebound in output and Soviet plans for field development are assessed.

PANEL ON SIBERIA: ECONOMIC AND TERRITORIAL ISSUES

A panel of geographers and other specialists on the Soviet Union examines a range of economic and territorial issues shaping Siberias past, present, and future. These include a history of local particularism and colonial rule imposed by the center; internal contradictions reflecting the regions enormous size and diversity; dynamics of population migration, natural increase, and ethnic composition; investment policy; current economic problems; foreign trade prospects and joint venture activity; environmental degradation; alternative scenarios of the regions future; and the need for multiple regionalization schemes in geographical analysis.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN THE USSR: NEW INFORMATION ON DISTRIBUTION

Analysis of newly available data and recent newspaper reports on the corrective labor system reveals important distributional and spatial aspects to the problem of crime and its punishment in the USSR. The article supplies data on the major categories of offenses, notes the general similarity of crime rates between rural and urban areas and the significant interregional variations in overall and specific crime rates. Evidence is presented which indicates that the total crime rate in Siberia and the Far East greatly exceeds the USSR average. This is attributable to distinctive features of the regions population structure, the instability of its labor force, unsatisfactory living conditions, and the (relatively) still large number of inmates brought to corrective labor camps in Siberia from all over the country.

The European energy challenge east and west

This exceptionally thorough study provides a balanced analysis of most aspects of energy use in Europe west of the Soviet Union. Giving special attention to security of supply, Hoffman, of the University of Texas, urges more attention to domestic sources and increased cooperation among the Western countries.

SIBERIA: PERESTROYKA AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This paper assesses a number of factors (within the conceptual framework of Braudelian time scales) which have contributed to a downward spiral in the Siberian and Far Eastern economies under perestroyka. A key role is played by the changing, increasingly negative linkages between West Siberia and the European USSR (given depletion of the most commercially viable Siberian oil and gas reserves and changing world market prices) and the long lead times and uncertain prospects for development of East Siberian and Far Eastern resources.

Geographical problems of allocation in the Soviet fuel supply

Abstract This article examines the major problems facing Soviet planners in meeting fuel demand for boiler and furance uses in the USSR — the most flexible sector of the energy economy where direct substitution among energy sources is technically and economically at its most feasible. Data limitations and the interdependent nature of the whole fuel economy make the consistent rigid separation of this sector impossible and unprofitable. Accordingly, some attention is given to the fuel mix as a whole and to aggregate energy projections and questions of policy. (Coke is not covered.)

The Energy System and Economic Imbalances in the USSR

This article examines the severe structural and geograpic imbalances imposed on the Soviet economy by the demands and priorities of the energy complex; it also deals with imbalances manifest within the energy system itself. The feasibilities of policy change and prospect for success in energy conservation under Gorbachev are briefly assessed. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: 052, 124, 723.