Oil policy in the Caspian region (Part 1)

The energy problems of the Azerbaijani Caspian sea sector are addressed in many scientific and analytic works. These studies are for the most part written by political experts, so the problem is examined in the framework of political research of the Caspian states.

It’s no secret that press articles addressing the question are for the most part sponsored by various political forces, so they do not offer a profound analysis of the political and economic reasons for events. This material is rather politically committed and timeserving. Moreover, the historical background to events is often omitted.

This attitude has resulted in a complicated and obscure view of recent events, so a brief analysis of works concerning the matter is necessary. It’s time to throw some light upon the highs and lows of the studies into the Caspian region’s energy problems. All the major events of the recent history of the region should be impartially studied with profound attention.

One of the most prominent specialists in this field is Igor Sergeevich Zonn, Doctor of Geological Sciences, who has devoted many of his works to the Caspian energy problem. However, it is not always possible to concur with his conclusions. His book ‘US Strategy in the Caspian Region: “The Great Game – 2” ’, co-written with S. Zhiltsev, covers the evolution of contemporary US policy in the Caspian and Central Asian regions. The authors reviled the principal cause of the interest the USA and major oil-companies take in Kazakhstan,Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan – their hydrocarbon resources. According to the authors’ opinion, US statements about the region’s stability and prosperity are nothing but a part of their investment mobilization policy and do not reflect reality (Op. cit. P. 27).

The contradictoriness of the authors’ statements is surprising. Why would anyone want to create an illusion of prosperity for mobilization of investments, if the countries are rich enough in resources, as the authors themselves indicate? Don’t the Russian and Western oil-consortia that have signed contracts with these countries’ companies produce millions of tonnes of petroleum? It is interesting to mention that the work in question was published not in 1993, when these contracts were just projects and oil-production was still low, but in 2003, when the petroleum companies no longer had any doubts about the Caspian region’s high resource potential. At that time the oil-contracts were already benefiting the Caspian countries’ prosperity and stability with profits of many millions. The leaders of the Caspian states were given an opportunity to allocate these funds to economic development and social care.

I.S. Zonn is also the author of such works as “Caspian Memorandum” (1997), “Caspian Region: Reality and Illusion” (1999), “Three Centuries of the Caspian Question” (2001) and “Caspian Encyclopaedia” (2002). He is also editor-in-chief of “Vestnik Kaspiya” (“Caspian Bulletin”).

«The Caspian Area History Essays” by the same author cover the history of Caspian Sea Studies from antiquity up to our time. Dr Zonn presents the evolution of scientific research of the subject in chronological order.

«Caspian Region Geopolitics” (S. Jilcov,I. Zonn, A. Ushkov, 2003) covers some topical problems of Caspian geopolitics. The question of US politics in the region and their aspiration to play first fiddle there is the key-topic of this work.

One of the most fundamental works on the Caspian problem is the research of Ilham Aliyev, Doctor of Political sciences, titled “Caspian Oil in Azerbaijan”. It addresses the political and economic development of the Caspian region. This work, based on various recorded material, was published in 2003. Dr Aliyev examines the origins and evolution of factors determining regional status development.

The author tries to solve the most vital problem of this research area – the definition of the Caspian Sea’s political status. The paper meets all the requirements of political science works.

To be continued

Ismail Agakishiev