The article analyzes the prospects of transition of the Russian fuel and energy complex to the new development paradigm which consists in implementing some Industry 4.0 Project elements. The article attempts to identify the profound changes taking place in the global and Russian energy sectors. One of the key drivers of the new development paradigm is the active implementation of the Industry 4.0 project elements in the fuel and energy complex, which is comprehensive and relies on digital technologies. The features of the Industry 4.0 global innovation project and, in particular, the digitalization of the oil and gas sector are discussed in the article. The possibility of the transition of the Russian energy complex to a new development paradigm, which consists in the implementation of the Industry 4.0 Project elements, is also analyzed. The article also relveals the problems of the Russian energy complex on the way to transition to a new model of development, which are associated with the peculiarities of its production, market and institutional structures. The main niche in the Russian energy complex where the development of the Industry 4.0 paradigm is possible is highlighted.
