Russian Oil and Gas Companies in The Arab East

The article provides an assessment of the results of Russian oil and gas companies activities in the countries of the Arab East based on the study of the genesis of relations between the USSR and the countries of the region in the energy sector and the current situation.

It has been established that during the Soviet period of Russia‘s history, relations in the energy sector were more successful with the countries of North Africa, Syria and Iraq, that demonstrated political loyalty to the USSR and were economically dependent on it. The GCC countries, on the contrary, did not seek to establish diplomatic relations, showing fears of a serious ideological influence of the USSR on their politics and economy and inclining towards interaction with the United States and its allies, including the energy sphere. The long period of depression in the energy dialogue with the countries of the Arab East in the 1990s. was replaced by a period of growing expectations and hopes in the energy sector in the mid-2000s. After the resumption of the Russian-African dialogue in a new geopolitical configuration in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, Russia resumed cooperation with the countries of the region, positioning itself as a world power capable of participating in the settlement of conflicts in the region on an equal basis with other leading powers. Presently, despite the difficulties in the military and political situation in a number of Arab countries, Russian companies continue to increase their presence on the territory of these states, or try to maintain their positions in the oil and gas sector. At the same time, scientific and technical cooperation aimed at intensive rather than extensive development of the oil and gas sector, in particular, the exchange of energy technologies with the GCC countries, will be particularly valuable.

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