A review of crude oil participation in the energetics of the Republic of Macedonia

Republic of Macedonia its primary energy needs, particularly after being independent, in a bigger part (approx. 70%) satisfies from its own sources, and the other part from import. The own power sources are: lignite, hydro energetics potential and firewood. Some restorable resources are represented in a much smaller range, with a consumption of geothermal and solar power. The imported energy sources are: crude oil, oil derivatives, hard coal, brown coal and coke. In the future, one more energy source it is expected from import which is natural gas. Crude oil as an energy source takes up the biggest part of the imported primary energy. In this paper the petroleum industry in Macedonia for the period 1982-1997 is presented. The period 1982-1990 is analysed separately since 1982 is the year when Macedonian Petroleum Refinery started its work in the framework of Yugoslavia. The attention is given to the second period 1991-1997 after Macedonia became an independent state. This was a period of political problems for Macedonia, first of all the Greek blockade against Macedonia, UN blockade against Yugoslavia, the unsolved relations with the former Yugoslav Republics, and on the other hand the economic problems