– Why is ROSATOM’s science attracted by the cooperation with oil & gas companies and what can it offer to win their interest?
– The oil & gas industry is the largest one in the country in terms of scale and resource intensity. It determines both the economy and state policy in many respects. Certainly, the work with this sector is beneficial and any Russian company would be eager to work with it.
The oil & gas sector’s operation involve both the mining companies and those that render services. The cycle encompasses stages of search for and exploration of hydrocarbon deposits, development of the deposits, mining of hydrocarbons, transportation, processing, and environmental aspects. This production cycle includes segments, which need equipment and new efficient technologies. ROSATOM and its scientific division in particular have to be abreast of the events and offer most advanced innovative developments to outdistance competitors in the market. And we do have what to offer.
– Do you have already ready-made technologies?
– There are many of such technologies. They are at different advancement stages. We have already ready-made products, the technologies, which were developed for the nuclear industry in the past but can be successfully used in the oil & gas sector. For example, there is an area associated with new materials with targeted properties, which are capable of operating under heavy loads, at extremely high and low temperatures, under high pressure. These are fluoroplastic, radiation modified materials and coatings.
There are a number of developments for strengthening drilling and special equipment.
There are developments in the IT area. In particular, the RFNC-VNIIEF, which is a multi-discipline research center, has designed a simulator for designing oil and natural gas extraction sites, which can be used to solve filtration problems faced in the course of development of new deposits. We would like to render this product marketable, improve its interface and offer in the market.
Oil miners could be interested in our water clean-up and treatment systems. Most of deposits and terminals are located in places that are far from a developed infrastructure and the water treatment for both household and process needs is challenging.
Our research institutes have already participated in tenders in the pipeline transport area called for by oil companies. We have managed to develop systems, which help diagnose pipeline joints and trunk pipelines. This issue receives much attention in the nuclear industry; therefore, we can offer the oil miners the reliable and practice-proven solutions.
– Would it be difficult to deal with foreign competitors?
– The political situation is changing. Previously, oil miners were cooperating predominantly with western suppliers. In the conditions of restrictions, which arise now and are expected in the future, we are ready to back and offer domestic products.
– What companies do you consider your potential clients?
– They are all familiar. These are Rosneft, Gazprom, Gazpromneft, LukOil. All the companies which have large production volumes, take care of their equipment quality and understand that it would be difficult to solve ambitious targets they set for themselves without new off-standard solutions. The Arctic program, the gas pipeline to China, projects associated with shale gas and shale oil require innovative technologies, which we are ready to offer or develop for the customer.
