OREANDA-NEWS. On 02 July 2009 was announced, that “Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC” graduated the first class of master’s degree students of the Chair “Gas Technologies and Underground Gas Storages” of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas.

Nine graduates – masters in the field of underground gas and liquid storage - were awarded with diplomas on 25 June, 2009 at the extended meeting of the Academic Council Presidium. 

Joint education project of the leading oil and gas university and VNIIGAZ was launched in September 2007 in order to implement a resolution of Gazprom’s Scientific and Technical Council on training of UGS specialists under higher and continuing professional education programs and working out up-to-date educational materials and teaching aids.

The training was organized by the Chair “Gas Technologies and Underground Gas Storages” (Head of the Chair – Dr. Roman Samsonov – General Director of “Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC”) and the Chair “Development and Operation of Gas and Gas Condensate Fields” (Head of the Chair – Dr. and Prof. A.I. Ermolaev) of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas. This project was actively supported by the Department of Gas Transmission, Underground Storage and Utilization (JSC “Gazprom”) and “Gazprom UGS”.

This training program provided ample opportunities to study theoretical basis of this particular profession and gain practical experience of participation in scientific and technical conferences and R&D activities under the auspices of the leading research centre of gas industry – “Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC” and UGS facilities. Students acquired comprehensive academic knowledge and demonstrated it in their graduate works, successful exam passing and defending master’s degree thesis. 8 of 9 students are “A” students. 

One of the leading UGS scientists, doctor of technical sciences, professor, chief specialist of Gazprom VNIIGAZ Centre “Underground Gas Storage” and deputy head of the chair Stanislav Buzinov is in charge of the academic research support of the Master Degree Program. The teaching staff is represented by specialists of Gazprom VNIIGAZ Centre “Underground Gas Storage”. Lectures and seminars are held by more than 20 specialists representing 5 scientific centres of the Company, including “Gas resources”, “Development and operation of natural gas fields and well drilling”, “Studies of oil and gas reservoir systems and process modelling”, “Environmental safety, energy efficiency and labour protection”, “Mathematical modeling and information technologies”.

The training and methodical support are organized by the Skill Development Centre of “Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC”.

The training program includes visit to Kaluzhskoe UGS, Central Dispatching Department of Gazprom, Museum of Gas Science and Technologies, test benches of “Gazprom VNIIGAZ LLC”.