OREANDA-NEWS. May 21, 2013. "Almetyevneft" Oil and Gas Production Board (NGDU), which is one of the leading divisions of JSC TATNEFT, has produced a 600 millionth ton of crude oil since its foundation.

The ceremonial meeting devoted to this significant event was held at the "Neftche" Palace of Culture in Almetyevsk (Republic of Tatarstan).

The festivity was attended by Farid Mukhametshin, Chairman of the State Council; Shafagat Takhautdinov, General Director of TATNEFT Company; managers of the enterprises of TATNEFT Group of Companies; managers of services, departments, workshops and labor veterans of NGDU "Almetyevneft".

The highlight of the event was the appearance on the stage of honored oilmen crews with capsules containing precious drops of that same 600-millionth ton of "black gold".

The Almetyevsk oil producers were addressed with congratulations by Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. He pointed out in his address, that "the petroleum school of Tatarstan and TATNEFT Company have always been and still remain an example of effective management, innovative and dynamic development, as well as a creative, competent and rational approach to the development of the "black gold" deposits.

Farid Mukhametshin, Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan, also addressed the participants of the meeting. According to the Chairman of the State Council, NGDU "Almetyevneft" has always been a great source of manpower for the oil and gas industry not only in our Republic, but in the country as a whole. True professionals had used to work in the Oil and Gas Production Board since its establishment, who subsequently moved to key positions in various departments: Nikolai Maltsev - Minister of Oil and Gas Industry of the USSR and Agzam Valikhanov - Deputy Federal Minister of Oil and Gas Industry.

Shafagat Takhautdinov, General Director of JSC TATNEFT, congratulated the team of NGDU "Almetyevneft" on the occasion of the significant event. He pointed out the production accomplishments of the Oil and Gas Production Board, having a unique experience, a modern approach to crude oil production and high professionalism. The Company's CEO also pointed out that the main distinctive feature and style of the NGDU operation were always the powerful engineering school, the ability of working for future results and the power of corporate traditions.

Today the Oil and Gas Production Board is a testing ground for introduction and putting into operation of advanced equipment and technologies. New methods of well construction are successfully developed and applied; the Company has gained considerable experience in the hydraulic fracturing technology application. The pilot project for development of hard-to-recover reserves with application of modern automation means is being implemented at Berezovsky area. The Company successfully solves the challenges of enhanced oil recovery, resource conservation, creation of an effective relationship system with service companies and other pressing tasks in crude oil production.

The labor veterans and employees of "Almetyevneft" Oil and Gas Production Board, who had made significant contributions to the development of the oil industry, were given the Russian State, Republican and corporate awards.