From Pioneer to Latecomer:
Relations between Austria and the Soviet Union (Russia) in the Oil and Gas Sector
Walter M. Iber and Christoph Huber
University of Graz
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Hungarian Historical Review Volume 13 Issue 4 (2024): 596-622 DOI 10.38145/2024.4.596
Cooperation between Austria and the Soviet Union and then Russia in the oil and gas sector has a long history. When Austria fell under Soviet occupation after World War II, the Soviets confiscated the Austrian oil fields and founded the Soviet Mineral Oil Administration (Sowjetische Mineralölverwaltung, SMV). Most of the Austrian oil produced was exported to communist Central and Eastern Europe. Through agreements within the framework of the State Treaty, Austria was able to bring the Soviet mineral oil complex under its administration. Austrian Mineral Oil Administration (Österreichische Mineralölverwaltung AG, ÖMV) was founded in 1956. In 1968, Austria became the first Western European country to import Soviet natural gas from the other side of the Iron Curtain. The steel producer VÖEST supplied pipelines to the Soviet Union for this purpose. The gas contract was extended several times and is now valid until 2040.
Keywords: Austria, Soviet Union, Oil, Gas, OMV, Soyuznefteksport