The paper shows the application of the method of determining critical elements in the networks of technical infrastructures in the search and analysis of the importance of critical gas industry facilities. The purpose of this method is to search for critical elements and sets of elements in network infrastructures and their ranking by importance. The paper presents an adaptation of the method for determining critical elements in networks of technical infrastructures for the model of gas supply system functioning, which consists in describing the response of the gas supply system to the failure of a single element or a group of them. Conclusions are made about the expediency of using this method in research into the search for critical gas industry objects and determining their significance.

This article is devoted to the definition of the most important combinations of objects in critical network infrastructures. This study was carried out using the example of the Russian gas transmission network. Since natural gas is widely used in the energy sector, the gas transmission network can be exposed to terrorist threats, and the actions of intruders can be directed at both gas fields and gas pipelines. A defender–attacker model was proposed to simulate attacks. In this model, the defender solves the maximum flow problem to satisfy the needs of gas consumers. By excluding gas pipelines, the attacker tries to minimize the maximum flow in the gas transmission network. Russian and European gas transmission networks are territorially very extensive and have a significant number of mutual intersections and redundant pipelines. Therefore, one of the approaches to inflicting maximum damage on the system is modeled as an attack on a clique. A clique in this study is several interconnected objects. The article presents the list of the most interconnected sections of main gas pipelines, the failure of which can cause the greatest damage to the system in the form of a gas shortage among consumers. Conclusions were drawn about the applicability of the maximum clique method for identifying the most important objects in network critical infrastructures.

The paper is devoted to the search for critical combinations of gas industry objects from the standpoint of system operability. Critically important is the object partial or complete failure which can cause significant damage to the country from the fuel and energy complex in general or within the framework of a separate energy system. It is possible to failure of a critical and other object of the system. The paper presents the main major critical combinations of gas industry objects. Their significance and impact on the efficiency of the gas industry in Russia is shown. Conclusions are made about the expediency of searching for critical combinations of gas industry objects from the standpoint of system operability.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the problems of ensuring the energy security of the Caspian regions of Russia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The priority problems of energy security analysis were raised at the regional level and at the level of countries as a whole. It describes the main indicators of energy security, the monitoring of which is relevant for both countries. The article analyses the main factors changing the situation in both countries in the medium term and draws conclusions on the direction of the main actions so that the situation changes for the better.

The article is devoted to the search and determination of the most important combinations of gas industry objects from the standpoint of system operability. The study was carried out on the example of the Unified Gas Supply System of Russia. The study is a development of the topic of the search and determination of critical objects of the system. Cases of simultaneous failure of two disconnected and independent from each other system objects are possible. The article presents a list of the most important combinations of gas industry objects that are not included in the list of critical objects, failure of which can lead to a significant gas shortage among consumers. Their significance and impact on the performance of the Russian gas industry are shown. Conclusions have been drawn on the feasibility of searching for such paired combinations of gas industry objects from the standpoint of system operability.

The paper is devoted to an assessment of the state of regional energy security, and an analysis of the main trends and scale of changes in the state of energy security in the regions of Russia. The approaches to obtaining an integrated assessment of energy security at the regional level are presented. The expert opinions on the relative importance of key indicators are given. Specific regions of Russia are examined on the example of the Siberian Federal District. Regions of Russia with an unsatisfactory state of energy security are identified, and the dynamics of changes in the state of energy security in all of Russia’s regions during the period from 2012 to 2016 are shown. Factors and reasons for the formation of negative and positive energy security trends are analyzed. The main directions of activities to improve the level of energy security in most regions of Russia are presented.