Gazprom Neft forms partnerships to develop tech for offshore ops

Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary to Russian natural gas company Gazprom, has used this year’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to enter into a range of partnerships with Russian companies with the aim of developing technologies and equipment to be used in opening up the Russian continental shelf.

Gazprom Neft said that the company signed agreements with Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, Uralmash NGO, and Gusar New Technologies and that the deals were all part of the company’s strategy to substitute imported technology required to explore and develop prospects in the shelf.

According to the company, the signed agreements will regulate joint activities in developing domestic technologies and increasing the role of domestic producers in offshore development.

Gazprom Neft and Rubin plan to begin project development and design engineering for the installation of offshore oil and gas installations and facilities.

Uralmash NGO will assist the Gazprom subsidiary to implement a program for the development of high-technology offshore drilling equipment while the deal with Gusar will see the development of domestic wellhead equipment and, in the longer term, equipment for subsea production facilities.

All parties agreed to work together in implementing government policy regarding import substitution in the fuel and energy sector. They will develop and produce replacements for equipment currently not produced in Russia and conduct pilot testing of prototypes.

The company addd that all parties also intend to engage in collective negotiations, consultations, business meetings and discussions, as well as increasing the exchange of data and research information.