Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • June 1995 (Revised June 1996)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

White Nights and Polar Lights: Investing in the Russian Oil Industry

By: Debora L. Spar
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:25
ShareBar

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.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Debora L. Spar

General Management
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • February 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Oubré at Whittier College

    By: Debora L. Spar and Julia Comeau
    • November 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Hitting Home: Amazon and Mary's Place

    By: Paul M. Healy, Debora L. Spar and Amy Klopfenstein
    • June 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Oubré at Whittier College (C)

    By: Debora L. Spar and Haley P. Brown
More from the Author
  • Linda Oubré at Whittier College By: Debora L. Spar and Julia Comeau
  • Hitting Home: Amazon and Mary's Place By: Paul M. Healy, Debora L. Spar and Amy Klopfenstein
  • Linda Oubré at Whittier College (C) By: Debora L. Spar and Haley P. Brown
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College