Publications
Publications
- June 1995 (Revised June 1996)
- HBS Case Collection
White Nights and Polar Lights: Investing in the Russian Oil Industry
By: Debora L. Spar
Abstract
In the latter half of the 1980s, the collapse of the Soviet empire created an unprecedented opportunity for Western businesses. Among those most attracted were the oil firms, who rushed to investigate Russia's vast petroleum reserves. But, as they soon discovered, investing in Russia still entailed tremendous risks--commercial, legal, and political. The case examines how three companies (Phibro, Mobil, and Conoco) have evaluated the risks of Russia and formulated a strategy for investment.
Keywords
Risk and Uncertainty; Market Entry and Exit; Foreign Direct Investment; Energy Sources; Energy Industry; Russia
Citation
Spar, Debora L., William W. Jarosz, and Julia Kou. "White Nights and Polar Lights: Investing in the Russian Oil Industry." Harvard Business School Case 795-022, June 1995. (Revised June 1996.)