Gazprom Neft, Lukoil and Tatneft sign agreement with govt on development of refining equipment production

KRONSHTADT. April 5 (Interfax) - Gazprom Neft , Lukoil and Tatneft have signed a letter of intent with the Russian government to develop production of refining equipment in the oil and gas industry, an Interfax correspondent reported from the signing ceremony.

The document was signed following a meeting of the Coordination Council for Import Substitution of Oil and Gas Equipment, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

In addition, the meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Gazprom Neft and Lukoil, as well as an agreement of intent between the Russian government and Gazprom Shelfproekt to develop the "Equipment for Offshore Drilling and Production" line of business.

The government press service cited Manturov as saying that industry regulations on reverse engineering should be approved in the near future. "It is specifically fine-tuned for fuel and energy complex projects. I would like to note that almost all FEC companies have already joined the work to form unified industry standards for equipment. All this will ultimately contribute to improving the technical sovereignty of our country's oil and gas industry," Manturov said.

Novak noted that the work to reduce import dependence has already led to practical results. In particular, a map of technological equipment deficiencies has been verified with oil and gas companies. Also, the concept of development and joint use of technological testing grounds for testing equipment and pilot use of technologies for the oil and gas complex has been prepared, one of the goals of which is mutual recognition of test results by consumers of equipment and technologies, Novak said.