Assessing opportunities in the Soviet petroleum industry

Western interest and activity in the Soviet Union's petroleum industry is surging ahead currently with the support of the Soviet government and related hydrocarbon entities. Western companies recently have negotiated protocol agreements, distribution accords and joint venture pacts. The scope of these agreements takes in the service/supply industry, drilling contractors, and major and independent producers. This paper attempts to assess today's climate in the Soviet Union and the most probable chances for Western participation in that country's petroleum industry during the coming years.