Sunday, March 4, 2007

Russia Sits High Atop Oil Markets - For Now



By Miklos Tassi

Russia, the second largest oil producer of the world after Saudi Arabia, exported 19.32 million metric tons (more than 144 million barrels) to non-CIS countries in January 2007, up 17.7%, year-on-year, the Industry and Energy Ministry said Tuesday. Such heady results for January follow a year that saw Russia earn an estimated total revenue of 139.4 billion U.S. dollars on its oil and gas exports in 2006. Closer inspection of the world energy market, however, raises questions about Russia’s future as an oil superpower.

Increasing demand

A recent study by the US Department of Commerce shows that the largest demand for oil comes from freight and human transportation. Such demand is increasingly being met by substitutes for oil-based fuels, but transportation is still expected to draw 50% of world oil usage in the 2030s, the study states. The centers of the growing oil demand are Asia and North-America. The projected long-run tendency of rising prices could be good news for the oil business, but may not reduce the huge demand for oil until substitute fuels become price competitive.

Markets in motion

The USA and Europe consume roughly half of all oil produced globally, approximately 45 million barrels a day. Japan uses a proportionately similar amount, while China and India together burn 10%, with consumption in those two nations rapidly on the rise. Europe is making efforts to decrease its dependence on oil exporters, meaning Russia, to a large extent. Because EU programs to develop renewable energy sources will not be successful enough to make much of a difference in the foreseeable future, the only alternative to Russia is to increase the number of importers and create competition. This raises the issue of change on the supply side of the oil market, with new sources emerging in Asia.

Fate of the oil bear

Russia appears to be fighting hard to maintain its premiere status, which may not be easy, considering its disadvantaged geographical position. The cost of oil extraction is six times higher in Siberia than in Iraq or Saudi-Arabia. Look for Russia to use its political power to offset its unfortunate circumstances, market watchers say. Such trade weapons as suspending deliveries to European customers are historically in Russia’s arsenal. Time will tell if high production costs and increasing competition – along with the rise of alternative fuels – prove the undoing of Russia’s oil supremacy.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good job Miklós. Your writting is informative and joyfull at the same time. You point out small details just as general information, which was may be not clear for everyone

Anonymous said...

Boma said...

I think this is a great article. It relates and explains the economic state of russian oil and gas sector. Good work

Anonymous said...

Dave said...

A well-thought and informative article! The topic itself is such a lively and important issue. Especially, those who are interested and following both politics and energy policies can really get some useful information.

Anonymous said...

Very useful article, and I really liked the way you brake it into parts, therefore it is easier to search back for information later.

Anonymous said...

Seems like a confusing article to write. perhaps, that is because oil is of no interest to me. I think you did a good job even if you say it isnt your style of writing. I can tell you put your own ideas into it.

Anonymous said...

excellent statistics,very informative and educative,detailed information will be appreciated,excellent article.good luck.cheers

ugo said...

I like the way you broke this article down making it easy for the readers to digest. It also contains information that might be useful for any business man or politician. Good work!