As an economist studying the relationship between oil companies and governments in former Soviet countries, Heidi Kjaernet noticed an incongruity. The general theory, Kjaernet says, states that national oil companies should grow more and more independent from governments as they flourish. Articles on the region, however, assumed that the oil companies are permanently in the pockets of their governments.
So Kjaernet decided to look more closely at Azerbaijan, where international companies, primarily BP, work alongside the state-owned SOCAR and bring profit through rent-seeking; and Kazakhstan, where the nationalized KazMunaiGaz controls all of the country’s natural resources. (Chevron and Exxon Mobile also operate in Kazakhstan.)
While Kjaernet’s findings are meant to be used for a theory on how authoritarian governments delegate power to state-owned oil companies, in this interview she shares some practical notes – and predictions – on the oil industries in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
'Interview 180' features roughly three-minute videos of one-on-one, Q&A sessions with decisions makers, politicians and analysts who provide focused insight on EurasiaNet's coverage region. Dean C.K. Cox is the photo editor for EurasiaNet.
Sign up for Eurasianet's free weekly newsletter. Support Eurasianet: Help keep our journalism open to all, and influenced by none.