About the Achievements and Factors that Determined the Slowdown in the Development of the USSR Oil and Gas Complex at the Turn of the 1960–1970

The purpose of the publication is a study based on the study of archival documents of the problem of the development of the oil and gas complex of the USSR in the second half of the 1960s — early 1970s, the factors that determined the lag of the industry in a number of indicators from the leading countries are identified. The conclusions are formulated that, along with huge achievements due to managerial miscalculations, it was not possible to overcome the shortage of high-quality special equipment, the shortage of qualified personnel, and to introduce the most modern computing technology in processing the results of geological exploration. The reasons for the difficulties are the departmental approach, insufficient investments, and objective difficulties associated with the development of new hard-to-reach regions. In the same row: the lack of effective interaction between industry and academic science, slow implementation of the results of developments in production. It is proved that experts specifically stipulated the need for special measures aimed at ensuring drilling in the regions of Siberia, the North and the Far East. The recommendations of scientists and industry experts were designed to help ensure the development of oil provinces in a shorter time and increase the efficiency of exploration for oil and gas. However, the conclusions of the academic community, gas and oil workers were often ignored.