The Gazprom Neft Science and Technology Centre (STC) has concluded a Cooperation Agreement with St Petersburg State University on collaboration in developing projects under the company’s Technology Strategy, and on engaging Russian scientists in the key sciences in solving the challenges facing the oil industry. Within the framework of this cooperation, new algorithms and technologies for field development will be created, and training programmes for young professionals and students implemented.
Collaboration with St Petersburg State University is expected to be undertaken under various areas of Gazprom Neft’s Technology Strategy, * including technologies for geological prospecting and field development, the creation of bespoke software (Electronic Asset Development, ERA), and well drilling technologies.
Research and development (R&D) activities will be undertaken through the St Petersburg State University Research Park,** including, in particular, in creating new algorithms for determining optimum solutions in integrated project management in field development. That is, finding the most effective solutions for combining below- and above-ground infrastructure, taking project economics and production feasibility into account. Another area of ??cooperation concerns the process modelling of downhole solid-flows in order to determine the optimal regime for their operation and to prevent clogging.
Under the framework of the Cooperation Agreement a technical project — “Geo-chemical Control Technologies in Reserve Recovery” — is to be undertaken with one of the university’s resource centres, the Chemical Analysis and Materials Research Centre. This will involve carrying out multiple (inter-disciplinary) investigations into oil, using chemical analysis. This technology is directed at studying multi-layer deposits, determining the most productive layers, identifying sources of water encroachment, and evaluating the effect of fracking operations.
In order to undertake detailed analysis of the company’s needs and the challenges it faces, St Petersburg State University specialists are expected to be involved in various projects in exploration and production so that, having investigated the specifics of the industry, they will be able to propose and develop new technological solutions. In particular, a Laboratory for Digital Geological Modelling is to be put together involving representatives from the key sciences (physics, chemistry and mathematics) in order to undertake research and develop new software allowing deeper analysis of geological information.
Mars Khasanov, Director of the Gazprom Neft Technology Directorate and General Director of the Scientific and Technical Centre commented: “Ongoing implementation of new technologies is one of our company’s priorities. It’s obvious that industry development is dependent on new programmes for modelling various processes. Using digital solutions, we now have the opportunity to calculate tens of thousands of different options and find the best ones, allowing us to increase efficiency and manage costs even more effectively. However, introducing innovation is not possible without engaging the intellectual potential of Russian scientists, which is why we establish partnerships with our country’s leading scientific centres and the most important Russian universities, involving them in studying the technological challenges we face, in order to find new solutions together.”