DOI: 10.33917/mic-5.100.2021.80-86

The article analyzes the balance between Europe’s desire for carbon neutrality and energy security. The problems of using renewable energy sources (RES) in Europe arising from unstable weather have been identified. It is concluded that the volume of renewable energy production up to 50% and above, as planned by the EU, is not justified due to the unreliability of renewable energy – dependence on the weather. According to the author’s preliminary assessment, in order to ensure the energy stability of the country, RES should produce no more than 30% of electricity.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-4.99.2021.76-87

The article provides a comparative assessment of the digital maturity of the leading oil and gas companies of the Russian Federation admitted to work on the Arctic shelf (PJSC Gazprom Neft and PJSC Rosneft) in the exploration and production segment according to the stages of the «thing-digit-thing» cycle, as well as a comparison with leading practices in the field of project logistics on the shelf. It identifies approximate cost-cutting limits of digital transformation in Arctic projects and factors limiting cost efficiency of offshore projects in the Russian Arctic. The goal of the study is to identify a potential increase in digital maturity and scope of digital transformation in the Arctic project supply chain in Russia. The study is based on modern approaches to sustainable supply chain management in oil industry and supply chain streamlining for offshore projects. The article identifies a group of factors limiting cost efficiency of Arctic projects, specific to the Russian Arctic. It is established that the main factor limiting digital transformation of offshore projects in the Russian Arctic is the increasing technological underperformance of oil service companies. To build capacity in digital maturity of the offshore project supply chain, it is necessary to focus on disruptive technologies that could significantly lower the cost of oil production in the Arctic area.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-3.98.2021.86-94

The paper represents a system of indicators that allow evaluating the efficiency of regulation of distribution network operators. The indicators are harmonized with the sustainable development and energy security goals. The indicators are grouped into three levels (micro-, meso- and macroeconomic ones) and categorized according to their influence on economic, ecological and social challenges. A method of visualization of produced estimates in micro- and mesoeconomic levels is introduced. The method allows simplifying the complex efficiency estimation of regulation of distribution network operators.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-3.98.2021.75-85

The article describes the main parameters affecting the economic efficiency of projects for the modernization of existing generation facilities to the level of autonomous hybrid power plants using renewable energy sources in hard-to-reach territories, an analysis is carried out and a methodology for assessing the investment efficiency of a project is obtained, key relationships between technical and economic parameters.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-3.98.2021.65-74

The digital transformation in the oil and gas industry is in full swing, requiring constant updating of personnel competencies. The system of personnel training does not cope with the task of providing advanced education. High-tech industries are experiencing a personnel shortage. Corporate universities are more dynamic in their development and are able to quickly reflect on external changes. The purpose of the study is to identify elements of the corporate environment, the presence of which allows companies to provide personnel for strategic projects. Currently, the author considers the most significant elements to be a knowledge management system; HR analytics based on predictive analytics and big Data analysis (Big Data); the use of immersive educational technologies; a training workplace and personnel training costs. Based on the point-factor analysis, the author developed a methodology for assessing the role of the corporate university in the staffing of the company’s strategic projects. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to rank foreign and Russian oil and gas companies according to their ability to provide strategic projects with personnel with the required set of competencies.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-3.98.2021.57-64

The analysis of methods for reducing the carbon intensity of pipeline gas and LNG and the development of renewable energy for the long term in Russia and the world is given. Considerable attention is paid to the conflict of interests of the German parties around the «Nord Stream 2» gas pipeline, which is particularly evident before the elections to the German Bundestag, which will be held on September 26, 2021.

The conclusion about the great environmental friendliness and economy of the «Nord Stream 2» is justified.

The analysis of the long-term program for the development of LNG production in the Russian Federation, adopted by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation on March 16, 2021, is given.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-3.98.2021.45-56

The necessity of a multidimensional approach to the assessment of energy transition is considered. There is a growing trend towards abandoning investment in publicly traded oil and gas companies and the need for environmental and social management measures to introduce the concept of “sustainable” investments. Emphasis is placed on responsible investments in the oil and gas industry, taking into account factors of the environment, social and governance (ESG). The relationship between ESG, finance and economics is discussed. The results of the activities of oil and gas companies in the context of the ESG requirements are presented. Information on the capacities and volumes of renewable energy sources production by the largest companies has been systematized. The conclusion is made about the dominance of the climate change problem in the tasks of financial management.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-2.97.2021.75-82

In November 2021, the climate summit of the countries participating in the Paris Climate Agreement will be held. It should be taken into account that the energy and carbon intensity of LNG production during its liquefaction and transportation can be significant. Carbon neutral LNG adds a «Green premium» to the LNG price of 17-37 % of the value of the LNG cargo in the current spot market. The «Green premium» can be estimated at 0,8–$ 1.7/MMBtu or $ 10-20/t of CO₂ for removing CO₂ from LNG.

The article shows that the carbon intensity of American LNG in Europe is 3 times higher than that of Russian pipeline gas.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-2.97.2021.64-74

The paper proposes a business process model of regulating electric power distribution tariff-setting. The model differs from the existing today model in that the regulatory decision-making process is carried out straight from the top down without intersection of information flows. At first key regulation indicators are set at macroeconomic level. These indicators support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Then the key regulation indicators are distributed among the subjects of the Russian Federation based on empirical dependencies. At the lowest level the actual performance indicators received from independent automated state information systems are compared with the key regulation indicators. Such a model has got a clear structure, allows to increase the objectivity and reduce the resource intensity of regulatory decision-making.

DOI: 10.33917/mic-2.97.2021.55-63

The estimates of the competitiveness of the balanced closed nuclear fuel cycle with thermal reactors VVER, PWR and BWR and innovative REMIX-fuel are given. REMIX-fuel obtained by reprocessing spent fuel. Considered three options for REMIX-fuel — А, Б and C, differing in the way of achieving enrichment (concentration of fissile isotopes ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu), needed for reactors. The fuel component of the NPP electricity cost is used as competitiveness criterion, which reflects all the costs of the fuel cycle for both before the reactor and after the reactor stages. The developed economic-mathematical model of the fuel cycle makes it possible to calculate a cost indicators of nuclear fuel components and the fuel components of the NPP electricity cost depending on the cost characteristics of key technological conversions, including reprocessing of spent fuel, enrichment of regenerated and natural uranium, manufacture of fuel assemblies, radioactive waste management and compare with the traditional fuel cycle.