Gazprom Neft, the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug—Yugra’s V.I. Shpilman R&D Centre for Rational Subsoil Usage have concluded an agreement on establishing an engineering centre to develop and commercialise exploration and production technologies for hard-to-recover reserves. Implementing this project will facilitate the development of Russia’s largest laboratory complex for studying “hard-to-recover” oil.

The document was signed by Kirill Strizhnev, CEO, Gazpromneft-Technology Partnerships, Alexander Kuleshov, Rector, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, and Petr Stulov, Head of the V.I. Shpilman R&D Centre for Rational Subsoil Usage. The partners are to establish a joint venture and full-cycle engineering centre through the Skoltech Oil and Gas Laboratory and the Core Research Centre in Khanty-Mansiysk. This entity will act as a platform for scientific and technological experiments, for developing hydrocarbon exploration and production technologies for “hard-to-recover oil”, and for cutting-edge enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methodologies. The centre will also be involved in developing hydrogen production, transportation and storage solutions, and in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions.

This facility will also act as a hub for unique equipment for analysing core samples from hard-to-recover and non-traditional oil deposits. Specialists at the engineering centre will run projects involving integrated support for petrophysical, geophysical and geological simulations, drilling optimisation, well finishing and fracking.

“This project, on establishing an engineering centre for developing and monetising promising solutions for investigating and developing hard-to-recover reserves, is unprecedented in Russia. Together with our partners we will be able to offer the market a wide range of investigations, the outcomes of which will be much sought after both in producing ‘hard-to-recover’ oil, and in developing new materials, additive manufacturing technologies and approaches to CO2 utilisation and management.”

Alexey Vashkevich Director for Technological Development, Gazprom Neft

“Gazprom Neft, Yugra and Skoltech have been investigating hard-to-recover reserves consistently for many years. During that time we have acquired unique skills and competencies, put professional teams in place, and developed and deployed new solutions for developing Bazehnov and other ‘hard-to-recover’ hydrocarbons. The synergies derived from our partners’ expertise, experience and resources will help in creating breakthrough technologies. These solutions will help in overcoming the challenges we face, and will also be commercialised and made available to other market players — both in Russia, and to our colleagues abroad, including in the Middle East.”

Kirill Strizhnev Director General, Gazpromneft — Technological Partnerships

“We are longstanding partners of Gazprom Neft. As well as fulfilling contracts for our colleagues for many years, we, in turn, have also been gaining a great deal from them — production experience, technological professionalism, and the ability to set important practical tasks. A unique laboratory has been established at Skoltech, the like of which does not exist in Russia. Setting up this joint venture will allow us to go to market with exploration and production technologies developed by Skoltech and its partners. I think we’re going to achieve quite a bit with Gazprom Neft and Yugra through this joint engineering centre.”

Alexander Kuleshov Rector, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

“Launching this high-tech project with our partners is giving us a tool for overcoming the industry challenges associated with producing ‘hard-to-recover’ oil. Concurrently with this we are also addressing the important task of attracting and retaining highly qualified specialists in Yugra. I am certain that the talent pool and the scale of the technological projects in the centre’s portfolio will prove interesting to both talented young scientists and experienced professionals, and will satisfy their ambitions.”

Petr Stulov Head of the V.I. Shpilman R&D Centre for Rational Subsoil Usage

Notes for editors

Gazprom Neft’s Core Research Centre was established in Khanty-Mansiysk in conjunction with the V.I. Shpilman R&D Centre for Rational Subsoil Usage, supported the Government of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. The first laboratories went into operation in 2018. The Core Research Centre was established in Khanty-Mansiysk due to the high concentration of unconventional hydrocarbon reserves in this region: on which basis, it provides opportunities for research and analysis in close proximity to fields. The centre is equipped with more than 80 pieces of high-precision equipment (scanners, spectrometers, litho-scanners, imaging systems, etc.) for investigating rocks containing hard-to-recover reserves. Six high-tech laboratories for investigating formation-fluid properties, geochemistry, lithology, petrophysics, sample preparation and specialist research are in operation at the centre.

Gazprom Neft and Skoltech have been working together for more than five years. Approximately 30 scientific projects have been undertaken during that time, including comprehensive research into the Bazhenov Formation. Joint activities are now in hand on projects including “Waterless Fracking”, “Increasing the Oil Recovery Factor (ORF) in Unconventional Reserves Using Tertiary Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Methodologies”, and the “Digital Core Laboratory”.