Gazprom Neft, further evidencing the company’s strategy of import substitution, has used this year’s St Petersburg International Economic Forum to enter into a range of strategic partnership agreements with Russian companies developing technologies and equipment to be used in opening up the Russian continental shelf.

Agreements were signed with the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, Uralmash NGO Holding LLC, and Gusar New Technologies LLC. Under the terms of these agreements the companies intend to implement projects directed at developing import-substitution technologies and equipment for the exploration and development of the Russian continental shelf.

Under the terms of agreements signed with the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, Uralmash NGO Holding LLC, Gusar New Technologies LLC and Gusar LLC, all parties will be implementing projects directed at developing technologies and equipment to replace international imports in the exploration and development of the Russian continental shelf.

The signed agreements will regulate joint activities in developing domestic technologies and increasing the role of domestic producers in offshore development. Together with the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, Gazprom Neft plans to begin project development and design engineering for the installation of offshore oil and gas installations and facilities. In cooperation with Uralmash NGO Holding LLC, the company plans to implement a programme for the development of high-technology offshore drilling equipment. Collaboration with Gusar New Technologies LLC and Gusar LLC envisages the development of domestic well-head equipment and, in the longer term, equipment for subsea production facilities.

All parties have agreed to work together in implementing government policy initiatives on import substitution in the fuel and energy sector, to undertake agreed activities in the development and production of replacements for equipment currently imported, and to collaborate in the pilot testing of equipment prototypes. 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.