Abstract: This article is devoted to comparative characteristics of legal regulation of oil and gas mining in the continental shelf in the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Russian Federation, as well as the new Brazilian legislation, strenghening the role of state in this sphere, guranteeing national security and protection of state sovereignty.

Keywords: jurisprudence, continental shelf, legal regulation of the oil and gas sphere, use of subsoil resources, Brazilian oil, concession agreements, production-sharing contract, offshore, oil in Brazil, oil and gas industry

Abstract: Economic development of the regions within the framework of developing a new model for the economic growth in Russia is defined by its main tendencies and the modernization results in the social sphere as the basis for the formation of the society, which shall live and support the position of Russia in the conditions of globalization of the world territorial development.  The Russian regions differ greatly in the level of their economic and social potential, and the potential for the use of innovations. Most of the Russian regions announced their innovative development, however, most of the regions possess low potential, and there is need for specialized research in order to evaluate the possibilities for the transfer of their economy into the innovative type of development.  A defining prerequisite for all of the regions is presence of industrial, educational, scientific and technological potential, regular and innovative infrastructure, investment and innovative activities of the enterprises.  The educational potential of the region is an important element of innovative development, since the level of education of the population characterizes the human capital of the region, and efficiency of development of the regional education system.  The level of education predefines the quality of specialists of the regional labor market. In this sense formation of the educational potential of the region should take place before the formation of its economic potential.  And in this sense education is a factor for the development of science and science-intensive innovative economy.   In this aspect the educational potential plays a defining role.  

Keywords: innovative potential, educational potential, regional management instruments, regional policy, scientific research approach, education, lifelong education, scientific potential, commercialization of scientific developments, economic potential

Abstract: The article describes elements of the regional innovation system - science, industry, higher education and innovation infrastructure. The author of the article analyzes the modern situation in this sphere and describes processes ongoing there at the present time. The author also outlines possibilities for future development of the regional innovation system by improving arrangement and management of commersialization of scientific developments. One of the main advantages of Karelia is the geographic location and a long border with the European Union. The region positions itself as an active participant of international and trans-regional cooperation which creates the need in developing external economic, trans-regional and international communications as the key directions of the socio-economic development of the republic. At the present time the Republic of Karelia has trade and economic contacts with over 90  countries. Karelia's trade partners include member states of the European Union (including Finland) as well as Asian, African and American countries. A significant portion of goods and services provided in the Republic are exported to other countries. Therefore, taking into account Karelia's close communication with foreign countries and active interaction between Karelia and the Russian Federation regions, the 'external communication' factor will continue to be one of the most significant factors from the point of view of the influence on Karelia's economy. In this regard, the main purpose of the Government of the Republic of Karelia to be reached by 2015 is to enchance the positive image of Karelia for Russia and other countries. 

Keywords: corporate innovations, economic growth, nanotechnologies, innovation companies, fast-developing companies, regional innovation policy, regional innovation system, innovation infrastructure, innovations, technological innovations

Abstract: Influence of human resources and intellectual capital on the growth of innovative companies was studied through scientific research carried out at Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. Theoretical concepts and methods of valuation of human resources and intellectual capital were studied based on practical data obtained from the lists and ranking prepared by information agencies which considered the topic of innovative companies.Specific calculations were based on the data about the two Russian companies working in the innovative sector of the Russian economy. One of the companies functioned in the sphere of developing new technologies of raw material processing in the process of production and sale of modern grocery packing while the second company dealt with production and sale of hightech metal products on the Internet. The author of the article describes theoretical grounds for studying the influence of human resources and intellectual capital on the growth of innovative companies. The author clarifies definitions of human resources and intellectual capital and reviews foreign and Russian researches on the matter. 

Keywords: fixed assets, intellectual resources, measurement of intellectual capital, innovative company, comparative approach, evaluation of intellectual resources, intellectual capital, human resources, level of intellectual capital, intangible assets