Participants of the 6th seminar focusing on the history of the oil and gas sector History of Import Substitution in Mechanical Engineering considered achievements by well-known Russian manufacturers and engineers.
Last few years, import substitution in the oil and gas sector has been dynamically developed on the order of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. Joining the efforts by producing and science entities is expected to give impetus to that. History of the Russian industry knows many positive examples of import substitution, and so the seminar participants turned to experience of the past years and centuries to develop some prospective approaches. The seminar was organized by the International Shukhov Foundation (Vladimir Shukhov worked as an engineer and architect in Russia and the Soviet Union, designed many projects and took part in building of the first Russian oil pipelines).
The special guest at the seminar was Sergey Vasiliev, Academician of the Electrical Engineering Science Academy of the Russian Federation. He shared his practical experience in the field of import substitution: “Once, we were designing so called solid electrolyte converters that were used at nuclear-powered submarines for oxygen control. In 1991, the Ministry of Energy of the USSR held a meeting where they assigned us a task of mastering the technology of oxygen gas sensors that could be applied at thermal electric power stations. We made 200 sets and actually introduced them at all the major typical stations. Finally, Gazprom placed an order for the same converters, as they have one useful property, being able to produce electric current at heating. Today, they are still applied at gas pumping stations to utilize heat and produce electric current. This product was from start to finish made in the USSR, it is our unique project.”
Sergey Serdukov, Technical Director at Nord Stream AG, touched upon one of the most popular subjects of the Gas Forum – creating conditions for import substitution during the Nord Stream-2 Project. “They often ask why such a word – import substitution – has been introduced? It is hard to translate, and our foreign colleagues barely understand its meaning. However, Russian citizens understand what it implies. Our experience of work demonstrates that wherever we’d managed to become independent, we had a breakthrough,” said the speaker.
According to Abdulla Magrupov, Representative of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas affiliate in Tashkent, this issue is as pressing for Uzbekistan as it is for Russia. “Integration of higher schools and production sites gives students opportunities for scientific research. Without that we can’t get what we want. Today, projects by our university are put to good use at all the entities of Uzbekneftegaz,” Abdulla Magrupov explained. According to him, there are over 2 thousand students in the university now.
Andrey Blinkov, CEO at Intari LLC, brought to the audience’s notice that today’s data technologies can’t be successfully applied unless the past experience is considered. “We introduce data models in design, construction and operation of the gas mains. In our business, we are collaborating, adopting and applying the best world practices to the highest possible extent. We’ve been watching these processes for 20 years, and we can critically assess the global situation: what ideas have been introduced, what can be reasonably import-substituted, what is unique,” Andrey Blinkov clarified.
Yuri Kuznichenkov, Member of the International Shukhov Foundation , presented a detailed history of the gas industry and Gazprom, and chronicled key periods of the industry’s establishment in pre-revolutionary Russia and the Soviet times.
Closing the meeting, Leonid Shtern, President of the International Shukhov Foundation, told the audience that at the meeting of the General Eurasia Peoples’ Assembly that took place last week in Baku, the International Shukhov Fountation proposed an initiative of calling the year of 2020 the Year of Engineering. Members of the Assembly supported the proposal. Moreover, in the nearest future the Foundation is going to establish the Vladimir Shukov Prize. “This matter has already been approved with the Ministry of Energy and the Board of Transneft PJSC, and is currently being considered by the State Duma,” said Leonid Shtern. The Prize will be awarded to scientists making great advance in the oil and gas projects development. During SPIGF 2019, Leonid Shtern awarded Sergey Vasiliev, Honorary Energy Worker, Academician of the Electrical Engineering Science Academy of the Russian Federation, for his great personal input into engineering development with a commemorative medal issued for the 165th Anniversary of Vladimir Shukhov’s birthday.