Gazprom Neft, the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) and the Shpilman Research and Analytical Center for the Rational Use of the Subsoil based in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (KhMAO) – Yugra signed an agreement on creating an engineering center to develop and market exploration and production technologies for “difficult” hydrocarbons. The project will help create the largest lab facility in Russia engaging in hard-to-recover oil research.
The agreement was signed by Kirill Strizhnev, Director General of Gazpromneft – Technological Partnerships, Alexander Kuleshov, President of Skoltech, and Petr Stulov, Head of the Shpilman Center. The partners agreed to create a joint venture and a full-function engineering center around the Skoltech Oil and Gas Laboratory and the Core Research Center in Khanty-Mansiysk. The new facility will be used to conduct research and engineering experiments, create exploration and production technologies for “difficult” hydrocarbons, and develop enhanced oil recovery methods. In addition, the center will develop hydrogen production, transportation and storage solutions, as well as CO2 capture and storage technologies.
The center will be fitted with unique equipment for studying samples of hard-to-recover and unconventional oil. Its team will engage in integrated support projects to facilitate petrophysical, geophysical and geological modeling, optimization of drilling, well completion, and hydraulic fracturing.
Alexey Vashkevich, Director for Technology Development, Gazprom Neft:
“The project aims to create a one-of-a-kind engineering center in Russia that will develop and market advanced solutions for the study and development of hard-to-recover reserves. We are partnering to provide a wide range of custom research services for various needs, such as production of “difficult” oil, materials design, additive technologies, and CO2 capture and storage.”
Kirill Strizhnev, Director General, Gazpromneft – Technological Partnerships:
“Gazprom Neft, Yugra and Skoltech have been pursuing research on hard-to-recover reserves for years. Over time, we have acquired unique competencies, built professional teams, and created and implemented new solutions for the development of the Bazhenov oils and other “difficult” hydrocarbons. The synergy of the partners’ expertise and resources will help address the current challenges by creating breakthrough technologies and commercial solutions that will be made available to market players both in Russia and other regions, including the Middle East.”
Alexander Kuleshov, President of Skoltech:
“We have been partners with Gazprom Neft for years: Skoltech has been performing contracts for Gazprom Neft teams, while benefiting from their production experience, technology excellence and proficiency in setting tasks of high practical relevance. At Skoltech, we have built a unique core and fluids research laboratory in Russia. The new joint venture will help market the exploration and production technologies created by Skoltech and its partners, and I believe that we will accomplish a lot in our joint engineering center with Gazprom Neft and Yugra coming in as partners.”
Petr Stulov, Head of the Shpilman Research and Analytical Center for the Rational Use of the Subsoil:
“This technology partnership project will help deal with the industry-wide challenge of extracting hard-to-recover oil, while engaging and retaining high-skilled professionals in Yugra. I am sure that the center’s extensive project portfolio will satisfy the professional ambitions of both talented young scientists and seasoned experts.”
Contact information:
Skoltech Communications
+7 (495) 280 14 81
