| Russia does not want to support OPEC In recent days, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko had to meet simultaneously with representatives of two organizations whose interests have always been diametrically opposed - the Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Alvaro Silva Calderon and the deputy head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which unites consumers oil, William Ramsay. Mr. Khristenko did not make statements similar to the recent statements by Energy Minister Igor Yusufov, who called on OPEC to increase production and called current oil prices “prohibitively high,” but to expect that Russia will reduce production, as the cartel has been calling for for several months, hardly worth it. Moreover, the IEA representative, inspired by our country’s rise to first place in the world in terms of production volume, which was previously occupied by Saudi Arabia, promised an influx of investment and assured that the “YUKOS case” will not affect the attitude of Western companies.
In the near future, Russia will continue to occupy a position more advantageous for consuming countries rather than oil producers. Now world oil prices are about $28 per barrel, that is, they are near the upper limit of the price corridor of $22-$28, defined by the cartel itself as optimal. Mr. Yusufov believes that oil should cost 22-24 dollars per barrel. Although at the meeting with the OPEC Secretary General, Mr. Khristenko was not as categorical as Mr. Yusufov, it was obvious that the cartel representative would leave with nothing. “It is equally important for us to ensure stability, openness and transparency of markets and opportunities for dialogue between producers, suppliers and consumers,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. But after that he noted that the Energy Strategy of Russia until 2020 clearly outlines the maximum volumes and prospects for oil and gas production. “This is a determining factor for the overall stability and openness of the situation in the energy markets,” he said. As you know, according to the document referred to by Mr. Khristenko, our country intends to continue to increase production volumes.
True, Mr. Calderon also notes the need to maintain stability in the market. According to him, as a result of “a number of internationally significant events,” oil prices this year were higher than the existing price corridor established by OPEC. But, according to cartel experts, in 2004 they will be in this range. However, the main contradiction - regarding how close the cost of raw materials should be to the upper or lower bar - has not been resolved. Although Mr. Calderon said that “OPEC puts the interests of oil consumers first, and then producers and those who invest in the development of the oil industry,” he still believes that “overproduction of oil due to rising prices should not be allowed.” "
In turn, the IEA, which primarily represents fuel consumers, is satisfied with the policy that the Russian government is pursuing in the field of oil production. Apparently, for the sake of energy stability, foreigners are ready to forgive the authorities for the “YUKOS affair” and continue to invest their funds in Russia. According to Mr. Ramsay, the fact that in September Russia overtook Saudi Arabia in terms of oil production, which until now occupied the leading position, “will contribute to the emergence of more energy resources on the world market and the expansion of sources of supply.” At the same time, he expressed hope that “more and more investors will invest in the development of the oil and gas industry in Russia.” “Western companies are closely monitoring the processes taking place in Russia,” he said. “In this case (the situation around YUKOS - Ed. ), I think it will end with international business trusting the Russian economy more, rather than focusing on immediate issues and paying more attention to long-term processes.” He also called on Russia to “invest in the economies of other countries.”
This position of consumers immediately found a response in the souls of some Russian oil workers. According to the chairman of the Union of Oil and Gas Industrialists, owner of the Soyuzneftegaz company and ex-Minister of Energy Yuri Shafranik, one of the main goals of cooperation with the IEA is to attract direct investment to our country. True, at the same time, Mr. Shafranik is ready to cooperate with OPEC members on the same issue. A day earlier, a representative of Rosneft, with which Soyuzneftegaz is participating in the development of the Vankor field, said that the state company was already negotiating joint projects with one of the oil companies of Kuwait (part of OPEC). And the new head of YUKOS, Semyon Kukes, has repeatedly stated in recent days that the disgraced company would be interested in working in Iraq. Denis REBROV |
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