Assistance to small innovative companies as a priority in the oil and gas sector at the regional level

The paper considers the problems faced in the creation and functioning of small and mid-sized oil and gas companies. It is argued that their classification into small and mid-sized business must be based not on formal criteria as is done today, but on the specifics of their hydrocarbon reserves. Then the problem of their creation will be put into a more general framework of the regulation in the use of mineral resources. Considering the increased number of ever smaller and difficult fields being involved in the development and their variety, the role of regions has to be much more active. At the same time, the concentration of powers in the sphere of regulation of the use of mineral resources at the federal level is in downright contrast with the above mentioned requirement.