OREANDA-NEWS. April 15, 2010. TATNEFT intends to use a steam generator of domestic production along with imported equipment for pilot development of bituminous extra-viscous oil deposits. At present OAO "Biysk Boiler Factory" (Altay Territory) performs the engineering design work to create a steam generator adapted for the needs of TATNEFT, reported the press-centre of TATNEFT.

It is planned that this unit will be of modular type with total steam generating capacity of 200 tons per hour. The Biysk factory plans to ship the first module of 50 tons per hour steam production capacity and working pressure of 24 atmospheres before the end of 2010. It is expected that the steam generator will cost 25% less than the imported counterpart.

TATNEFT is one of the first companies in Russia, which started pilot development of the extra-viscous oil deposits. The Company thoroughly studies advanced practices of other countries in the field of oil production, develops own technologies and acquires sophisticated foreign equipment for production of the extra-viscous oil.

However, TATNEFT considers it appropriate to develop in Russia domestic import substituting works for manufacturing production equipment to develop extra-viscous oil deposits, accounting for significant strategic resources of the country.