Azat Yagafarov, Deputy Director General – Director of the TATNEFT’s Moscow Office, and Alexei Vashkevich, Director of Technological Development of Gazprom Neft signed an agreement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to increase oil recovery projects, according to TATNEFT’s press release.

The agreement is valid until 2030 and implies the establishment of technological test sites at the assets of TATNEFT and Gazprom Neft, and in the Volga Federal District and Western Siberia. The partners intend to collaborate on research into surfactants and polymers for improved oil recovery operations.

The companies will combine experience and competencies to develop a strategy for the production of demanded oil equipment and its service in the regions of their operation. The parties will also consider creating a joint venture to consolidate resources and competencies in the improvement of production intensification technologies.

TATNEFT has created and patented more than 200 enhanced oil recovery methods. In addition, Gazprom Neft has successfully conducted pilot waterflooding projects, resulting in an increase of 69% in the oil recovery factor at one of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra fields.

Yagafarov stated: “Methods of enhanced oil recovery are a driver for the development of the oil and gas industry, however, for the development and launch of large innovative projects aimed at a significant increase in oil recovery, government support is also required.”

For his part, Vashkevich said: “In world practice, the oil recovery factor varies from 20% to 50%, in Russia this figure is at the level of 35%. Chemical methods of increasing oil production can significantly increase the efficiency of the development of even depleted areas.”