Why are the middle and lower Ob River basin important for oil and natural gas production?

The middle and lower Ob River basin is vital to Russia’s energy sector because it contains the country's most significant crude oil and natural gas fields.1

Located within the taiga and tundra zones of the West Siberian Plain, these fields are responsible for contributing approximately two-thirds of Russia's total oil and gas output. The region's geological composition, characterized by prolonged subsidence and horizontal deposits, has created an extensive area favorable for the accumulation of these resources. Exploratory findings, such as the rich gas field at Berezovo in the northern basin, further indicate that the entire Ob basin holds substantial potential for continued natural gas production.123