Russian govt signs agreement with Gazprom Neft on development of onshore production and drilling technologies

TYUMEN. Sept 20 (Interfax) - The Russian government has signed an agreement with Gazprom Neft on Wednesday on the development of onshore production and drilling technologies, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said during the Industrial Energy Forum in Tyumen.

The agreement provides for other Russian oil companies, equipment developers and manufacturers, as well as organizations interested in the creation and development of local technologies to participate in joint projects.

Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov said that in total there were about 250 effective onshore drilling and production technologies, and that 47 units of equipment were in short supply in Russia. "We need to organize and launch the production of this equipment in Russia. The company is taking on 19 areas - about 40% of the existing deficit. In keeping with a roadmap, we are the anchor customer, we identify a list of manufacturers capable of coping with the task. We are working together with INTI [the Institute of Oil and Gas Technology Initiatives] to develop uniform standards. Dialogue will then be established with the manufacturer to test the equipment. As a result, an agreement will be signed that would guarantee the manufacturer demand for equipment for oil and gas companies," Dyukov said.

Novak also said that the government would by the end of 2023 sign two more agreements: on geological exploration with Rosgeo and on petrochemicals with SIBUR.