THE US OIL INDUSTRY AS A LEVER FOR SOLVING MODERN GEOPOLITICAL CONFLICTS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the US oil industry as a lever for solving modern geopolitical conflicts. The article highlights the theoretical foundations of US policy in the field of global energy. Energy security in each state depends on the availability of such energy sources as oil, coal, natural gas, hydropower and nuclear power. Energy security of the state is a guarantee of energy security, which determines its security status, its energy sovereignty. The absence or shortage of domestic energy sources is ensured by import supplies, but this can always be violated due to various subjective and objective factors (increase in the price of energy carriers, embargoes against exporting countries, use of energy resources as a political weapon against enemy countries, terrorist attacks on energy infrastructure). It is possible to ensure energy security through the development of internal energy sources, energy saving, energy efficiency improvement, the search for alternative energy sources and, if necessary, the import of energy carriers. Countries that have overcome dependence on imported energy and are developing domestic energy sources, first of all, have experience in implementing certain aspects of energy policy. Analysis of the implementation of the US energy policy shows that the following factors contribute to the successful provision of energy security: the development of own energy sources (nuclear power, coal and shale gas production), which guarantee energy self-sufficiency; development of advanced energy efficiency and energy saving technologies; manipulation of oil prices; development of alternative energy sources in accordance with the legislative framework (Law «On Energy Policy» of 2005 and Law «On Energy Independence and Security» of 2007). Thus, the above facts emphasize the importance and relevance of the study of the US oil industry as a lever for solving modern geopolitical conflicts.