Russia is preparing to enter a boom in resource exploration as dozens of new oil and gas fields are expected to be discovered in 2026.
This information was announced by Mr. Oleg Kazanov, head of the Russian Federal Subground Resources Administration (Rosnedra), in an interview with TASS.
According to Mr. Kazanov, in addition to oil and gas fields, Russia can also discover hundreds of solid mineral deposits across its territory, from the central region to Siberia, the Far East and the Arctic. This is the result of geological survey activities being promoted in the context of increasing resource demand.
Notably, Rosnedra's leader emphasized that finding a new mine is not a rigid process but is "creative". He likened it to: "No one can plan accurately to discover a mine, nor can a painter plan a painting completely.
Previously, in 2025, Russia added 317 new fields to the national resource balance sheet, including 41 oil and gas fields and 276 solid mineral fields. The discoveries span many strategic areas, consolidating Russia's position as one of the world's leading resource powers.
However, along with the prospect of increasing reserves, Russia faces another challenge: Global demand for Russian oil is increasing sharply.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that demand for Russian oil is currently very high, especially from alternative markets. He warned that a time may come when Russia "has difficulty meeting further demand".
According to analysts, this trend reflects the shift in the global energy market in the context of geopolitical fluctuations, as many countries seek stable supply at competitive prices.
In that picture, oil and gas fields discovered in 2026 are not only of economic significance, but could also become a "strategic card" to help Russia maintain its influence in the world energy market.
