OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2011. TNK-BP announces the start of a research competition in increasing energy efficiency in the oil and gas sector. Taking part will be leading universities in the Russian Federation, reported the press-centre of TNK-BP.

The competition will run from 18th April to 18th June and aims to enhance the development of new energy efficiency technologies for production, refining and sales of oil and gas products. These technologies could potentially be implemented in TNK-BP’s operations.

The following leading universities have been invited to participate in the competition: the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, the Tyumen State Oil and Gas University, the Samara State Technical University, the Ufa State Petroleum TechnologicalUniversity, the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, the National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University and the Bauman MoscowState Technical University.

TNK-BP is in the course of implementing a programme to increase energy efficiency which will lead to net economic savings of USD 321 over 2011-2013. The programme primarily focuses on restricting water flow in operating wells, optimizing and reengineering ground infrastructure, increasing the energy efficiency of artificial lifting, and also raising waterflood pattern efficiency.

Mikhail Slobodin, Executive Vice president, Gas and Power, commented:
“Increasing energy efficiency is a pressing task not only for TNK-BP, but for the Russian economy as a whole. Optimizing current technological processes and increasing energy efficiency of production will enable Russian companies to significantly raise their competitiveness. I am confident that this research competition will be an excellent opportunity for Russian universities and research organisations to realise their high scientific potential and develop a mutually beneficial partnership with our industry.”