Multi-Criteria Risk Assessment Framework for Associated Petroleum Gas Utilization Projects in BRICS Countries: Evidence from Russia, China, and India

The efficient use of associated petroleum gas (APG) is one of the key challenges facing the oil and gas sector because it is directly related to reducing hydrocarbon losses, lowering emissions, and improving the sustainability of energy systems. The aim of the study is to develop a multi-criteria risk assessment system for APG utilization projects in three BRICS countries, using Russia, China, and India as examples. Methodologically, the study combines expert risk ranking based on the Fishburn method, spatial aggregation across 16 oil and gas clusters, and hierarchical graph modeling, which makes it possible to trace the transition from local technological constraints to the level of architectural strategies. As a result, a unified risk matrix was constructed, including risks of leaks, fluctuations in gas composition, raw material quality requirements, infrastructure constraints, and the energy intensity of processes. The resulting assessments showed that the risk profiles of clusters differ significantly both between countries and within them. For Russian clusters, leaks and infrastructure constraints proved to be more significant; for some Chinese clusters, gas composition and quality were more critical; whereas Indian clusters are characterized by a mixed profile of constraints. It was concluded that projects involving the use of APG require a cluster-oriented approach, and that universal technological solutions that do not account for the territorial structure of risks have limited applicability.