Research in this area began in 2001 with a pilot project on ‘Russia’s Energy Complex and Russian State-Building’ (see below). It involved exploring a wide range of topics and issues related to the state-building role of the Russian energy complex. Further research in 2002 and consultations with STATOIL and Norsk Hydro helped to identify the problems that are the most dynamic, generate heavy political impact and remain under-evaluated.
The presentation at the STATOIL 'Russian Forum' (29 August 2002), addressed the following issues:
* Are there any limits to the growth of the 'Oil-and-Gas' Complex strength and influence?
* Discrepancy between state energy policy and the Energy Strategy
* Splits and divisions inside the government in the context of sharp competititon between the oil companies, as well as GAZPROM
* Three political Driver: the administration, the Min-Energy, the Min-Fin
* Three economic drivers: the GAZPROM, the LUKOil, the Yukos
The main output of this research were articles in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Jane's Defence Weekly, Russia and Eurasia Review, a PONARS Memo, and a chapter in the Slavic Triangle ed. by Arkady Moshes & Bertil Nygren (see PRIO academic list for 2002)
Russia’s Energy Complex and Russian State-Buildinghttp://www.prio.no/page/Project_detail/CSCW_Staff_alpha/9244/41239.html
