New Configuration of Political Power and the Oil and Gas Industry Management System

In spite that Vladimir Putin actually remains the nation’s leader, the system of government decision-making undergoes serious changes. This also affects the oil and gas industry. The importance of the government soars, there appear deputy prime ministers with new functions vested in them, and ministries gain greater influence. This is a different governance concept, for the government and its individual departments have in recent years been rendered less important in their role, with the centre of decision-making shifted to state-run corporations.

What will the new oil and gas sector management system be like? How will structural and staff changes in relevant government departments affect operations in the industry? The answers to these and other questions are given in the new Report of the National Energy Security Fund.

It dwells on the following subjects:

• Division of powers in energy sector management between Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev

  • Mr Putin retains his status as the «number one oil and gas figure»

• Putin’s new checks and balances in energy

  • Mixing of elite clans in the boards of directors of state-run companies and executive agencies

• New system of state control over oil and gas

  • Overall configuration of the allocation of powers relating to control over the industry between the new government departments
  • New deputy prime ministers, ministers and their «favourite» companies in the sector
  • New lobbying chains and opportunities
  • New government commissions on oil and gas sector development and their true weight and powers

• Relations between the government and oil and gas companies under Mr Putin as Prime Minister

  • The government as a system of control over state companies
  • Key problems of sector development and mechanisms to solve them
  • Fight between Gazprom and Rosneft and administrative support for their interests

• Medium-term forecast of developments

The contents of the report: