A.M. Brekhuntsov, I.I. Nesterov, T.D. Shabalina
Oil and gas field discovery and development in Western Siberia: history and significance for Russia’s economy
DOI 10.47148/0016-7894-2025-3-20-29
Key words: geological exploration; oil and gas fields; hydrocarbon reserves; Ministry of Geology of the USSR; Glavtyumengeologiya; Western Siberia.
For citation: Brekhuntsov A.M., Nesterov I.I., Shabalina T.D. Oil and gas field discovery and development in Western Siberia: history and significance for Russia’s economy. Geologiya nefti i gaza. 2025;(3):20–29. DOI: 10.47148/0016-7894-2025-3-20-29. In Russ.
History of the West Siberian Petroleum Province discovery and development is an example of the state approach to organizing large-scale scientifically based commercial and social projects for development of the economy. In the early years after the USSR formation, the country’s leadership set a course for industrial development and the task of creating the Ural-Kuznetsk coal and metallurgical base was assigned. The extraordinary sessions of the Academy of Sciences were convened, and the first research expeditions were started beyond the Urals. In October 1947, the Council of Ministers of the USSR adopted a purpose-oriented program for exploration and prospecting activities in the eastern regions of the country, and responsibility for its implementation was allocated to the Ministry of Geology of the USSR. A master plan for Western Siberia exploration was adopted. Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Western Siberia at 200 billion tonnes of oil equivalent became the basis for the creation of new oil and gas industry in the country. Geological exploration that resulted in discovery of large and unique oil and gas fields supported the forecast. Scientific support of the works, manufacturing of the equipment required, transportation infrastructure engineering, and geological exploration were integrated into a single national-scale research and production system. Resulting from expansion of geological exploration activities in the mid 1980-s, the reserves increased by more than 1 billon tonnes of oil and 2 to 3 trillion cubic metres of gas. Western Siberia has become a guarantor of Russia’s economic development and energy security. At the present stage, when oil production in Russia’s regions declines, a new state mineral resource policy is needed for the region, based on a long-term system of subsoil exploration. It is necessary to revive geology and restore its status as a strategic industry in the country.
Anatolii M. Brekhuntsov ORCiD Scopus
Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences,
Director of the Scientific and Technical Center
JSC “Geodata Multidisciplinary Scientific Enterprise”,
22, ul. Nemtsova, Tyumen, 625002, Russia
e-mail: ntc@mnpgeodata.ru
Ivan I. Nesterov ORCiD
Deputy Director of the Scientific and Technical Center
JSC “Geodata Multidisciplinary Scientific Enterprise”,
22, ul. Nemtsova, Tyumen, 625002, Russia
e-mail: nesterov@mnpgeodata.ru
SPIN-код: 8681-7849
AuthorID: 1260328
Tat’yana D. Shabalina
Head of Department
JSC “Geodata Multidisciplinary Scientific Enterprise”,
22, ul. Nemtsova, Tyumen, 625002, Russia
e-mail: shabalina@mnpgeodata.ru
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