OREANDA-NEWS. July 6, 2011. LUKOIL-Nizhegorodniinefteproekt, a research and design institute (http://www.nneft.lukoil.ru), prepared a roadmap specifying top-priority areas of  innovative scientific and applied research aimed at better performance and 20-percent-lower energy costs in the Downstream business segment.

The main R&D topics are energy-saving technologies for the processing of hydrocarbon feedstock, including associated gas and bottoms, and also some other technologies, like those for the production and storage of energy.

To implement projects included in the Downstream R&D Roadmap LUKOIL-Nizhegorodniinefteproekt will establish a scientific testing center equipped with pilot stands and units. Its first phase is scheduled to be launched in late 2011.

LUKOIL-Nizhegorodniinefteproekt carries out scientific research and integrated design of downstream business units, and also conducts engineering and energy audits of industrial enterprises. The overall headcount of the institute, including its Rostov-on-Don branch and a subsidiary in Burgas, Bulgaria, is more than 700 people.