After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Former Soviet Republics went on to become major exporters of coal, electrify, natural gas, petroleum, and uranium. This has made those nations very influential in the international energy markets, especially Russia, as it is a major exporter and owns and operates pipelines, rivers, and other energy export infrastructure. This has obviously given Russia disproportionate influence on world affairs, especially European affairs, as it can use energy as a weapon.
If the Cold War had continued, how would the Soviet energy industry have developed? Would the Soviet Union export energy to Europe and Asia going into the 1990s, or would it fail due to the political and security difficulties involved? How long could the West remain independent of Soviet energy exports before it would become economically prudent to do so?
Also, might the Soviets try to move domestic industry to coal and natural gas to free up petroleum for export, since it's easier to export? Natural gas requires pipelines and/or liquified natural gas terminals and tankers, which are some of the most complex, expensive, and dangerous facilities and ships ever built. In contrast, petroleum (and coal too) can be transported by trains, trucks, and ships, and is more easily transported overseas.