Once again, the Russian oil and gas sector demonstrated to the entire world all its strengths, including sustainability, self-sufficiency, and flexibility. The market players managed to withstand the pressure of the sanctions and are currently readjusting their businesses in the challenging geopolitical situation, and doing great. 

In 2023, the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum, also known as SPIGF, welcomed 20 thousand participants from 53 countries. The Convention program included 90 events that covered all kinds of topics from international collaborations and import substitution to labor safety and attraction of emerging professionals. 750 industrial professionals spoke at dedicated sessions, during conferences and round table discussions. Exhibitions arranged as part of SPIGF occupied all the premises of Expoforum available. 600+ companies showcased their sci-tech projects and prototypes designed for the gas industry at the site of 48 thousand square meters. Representatives of 200 media covered the SPIGF 2023 proceedings.

First and foremost, SPIGF 2023 proved that Russia, as a hydrocarbon producer and supplier, hadn’t become isolated from the rest of the world. This year, the geographic coverage of the Forum was extended on the account of the countries from the Asia-Pacific Region, Africa, and the Arab World. The Plenary Session held during the Forum was participated by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, Nikolay Shulginov, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Roman Sklyar, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, Xie Jun, Vice President of the China National Petroleum Corporation, Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Taalaibek Ibraev, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The participants and guests of the Plenary Session were greeted by Alexander Beglov, Governor of St. Petersburg. He mentioned that the natural gas issue is especially relevant for his city. “Our city was the first in Russia to install gas lamps in 1812. In 1835, we established the St. Petersburg Gas Lighting Society, and the first gas factory was built on the banks of the Neva. Today, we have more gas-supplied private premises than any other location in Russia,” the Governor resumed.

“Gas market development paths will be identified in the new economic development global centres, the countries of the Global South and the Asia-Pacific Region, which Russia is currently building robust relations with,” stated Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee.

He also mentioned that Gazprom had been working with its colleagues from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan for dozens of years. However, now this collaborations have moved to a new level. The parties are setting objectives for the next 15 years and establishing a long-term contractual framework for their relations. Mr. Miller announced that they intend to further increase Russian gas supplies via the Central Asia – Centre gas pipeline system directly to consumers in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Roman Sklyar, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, confirmed that his country is currently experiencing a gas shortage, caused by the rapid growth of local industries.
Taalaibek Ibraev, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, mentioned that in 2014 only 22% of the locals could use gas supply, but thanks to the country’s collaboration with Gazprom, this value raised to 38% by 2023, whereas in 2030 they expect 60% of the citizens to have access to gas. Moreover, the Republic of Uzbekistan is also determined to become a party of the long-term collaboration. “Gas consumption continues to raise, too, and in a short term we’ve managed to arrange gas supply to Uzbekistan, thanks to the concerted effort of our teams,” said Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, also touchedthe subject of prospects as regarded to inland gas use and supply directions. Xie Jun, Vice President of the China National Petroleum Corporation, brought into focus that the governors of China and managers of the corporation see natural gas as a low-carbon and flexible energy source
and that its share in both gasification of cities and in the industrial sector keeps growing. 

According to Nikolay Shulginov, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, reduction of gas consumption in Europe after the European Committee had decided to reject Russian fuel, can be compensating by the growing demand in the East and the South. This was also confirmed by Gazprom’s partners from India and China where both private consumers and industrialists express their interest in natural gas. 

Gao Qi, Chief Representative of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Russia, outlined that in 2023 the scope of Russian gas supply to China will break the records of the previous years, exceeding 30 bln cbm. Kumar Gaurav, Consulate General of India in St. Petersburg, mentioned that Russia – India energy collaboration as regards to LNG is going to reach the value of 3.5 bln dollars by 2030.

New plants were started right from the Expoforum’s venue, which was yet another proof of the impressive progress made by the Russian gas industry. Gazprom initiated gas supply to low-capacity liquefied natural gas (CLNG) facilities: Tobolsk and Konakovo built in the Tyumen and Tver regions by Gazprom LNG Technologies. These are the first ever LNG production infrastructural facilities in the industrial history of the regions. The factories were triumphantly launched by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, together with Alexey Kakhidze, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Gazprom LNG Technologies. “I call to start!” Alexey Miller said. “Dear colleagues, it is my pleasure to congratulate you all! Let’s go on, as we say at Gazprom.”

Other facilities ceremonially started during SPIGF 2023 were the gas pipelines in the Ulyanovsk, Leningrad, and Saratov regions. The event was arranged as a TV bridge, which connected Moscow and St. Petersburg. Together with Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Nikolay Shulginov, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, the ceremony was participated by Valentina Matvienko, Chairlady of the Federation Council of Russia, Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, Sergey Gustov, CEO of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, Andrey Turchak, First Deputy of the Chair of the Federation Council, Secretary of the General Council of United Russia Party, as well as leaders of the Russian regions.

Moreover, the honorary guests took part in launching of the new LNG factory not far from Volgograd. This low-capacity LNG plant is going to produce up to 1.5 tons of LNG an hour, which will be used to fuel buses and special machines.

Another topic that was in the spotlight during the Forum was development of the local market. This process has been catalyzed by the program of further gas infrastructure extension, which is currently being carried out in compliance with the task assigned by Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. To manage this really sophisticated and essential project at the country level, the Gasification in Russia Dashboard special analytical panel has been established. It is being successfully operated now, and the opportunities it possesses were presented during SPIGF 2023. “Information we’ve been provided during the event let us track the parameters changing on the real-time basis and see how the situation can be enhanced further,” said Sergey Gustov, CEO of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz.

Other topics that were discussed during SPIGF 2023 were sustainable development of the industry, its digital transformation, design and construction, innovations, import substitution in the gas sector, and ecological issues. 

One of the key events on the convention agenda was the meeting where the matters of Gazprom’s technological advancement were discussed. It was chaired by Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman
of the Management Committee and Head of Department at Gazprom. Besides technological priorities pursued by Gazprom, the meeting covered creation and introduction of Russian innovations, equipment, materials, services along with implementation of state support mechanisms as regards to industrial enterprises.

Yet another traditional part of SPIGF 2023 was the Youth Day, which is one of the most remarkable international projects in the energy sphere intended for emerging specialists. This year, the best students had a chance to meet Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, during the Forum.

At the exhibitions arranged during SPIGF 2023 (InGAS Stream 2023 – Innovations in the Gas Industry, Import Substitution in the Gas Industry Corporate Exposition, Gas Engine Fuel and ROS-GAS-EXPO) the tangible achievements made by Russian industrialists and scientists were showcased.

Moreover, the exhibition list included collaborative stands brought by the Russian regions and the Republic of Belarus. 

Companies from the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, Belarus, Italy, Slovenia, and other countries put their projects and prototypes on the display.

The official delegation led by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, took a tour through the exhibition areas of the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum. The guests were presented new transport means by KAMAZ: NefAZ-5222 commuter bas that runs on compressed natural gas and KAMAZ-62501 gas engine mobile instrumentation and control workshop based on the chassis of KAMAZ-6250 4WD crew bus. Russian Helicopters Holding, which is part of Rostech State Corporation, demonstrated their cargo and passenger proposal: Mi-171AZ Helicopter. United Engine Corporation, which is also part of Rostech, brought in their GTD-110M, the first Russian-made high capacity gas-turbine engine. At the Gas Science and Innovations stand, the delegation was presented Alyona neural network, which the company refers to as a digital assistant officer.

As usual, the Business Matchmaking Centre became a place for the participants of the Forum to meet new partners and suppliers. There, 1,500 eye-to-eye meetings took place, participated by oil and gas companies from Russia, Belarus, India, and Morocco.

This year, the SPIGF participants were offered two technical tours to industrial plants. During the trip to the Vsevolozhsk Gas Turbine Power Plant, everybody was able to watch Russian-made gas turbine plants in operation. The participants were told all about the stages of the up-to-day electric power production cycle and learned about new heat and electricity generation technologies. At the Nevsky Plant, the participants of the technical tour were demonstrated the state-of-the-art production complex used to make power equipment for the oil and gas sector.

The event schedule during SPIGF was really tight, but still there was place not only for business meetings and meaningful discussions, but for entertainment and sports events, too.

For example, a WINLINE Goblet from President of the Russian Gas Society billiards tournament took place in Wineline Billiard Club.

The Forum participants were also invited to take part in the badminton competition at the indoor courts.

At the stand of Zenit Football Club, the Club’s trophies were displayed. There, the participants had a chance to take part in a trivia game, win valuable prizes, and have a picture taken with Vyacheslav Malafeyev, a legendary goalkeeper.

The Imperial Porcelain Manufactory presented its new Chieftains of Great Victories collection made in collaboration with the State Memorial Museum of Alexander Suvorov.

The pinnacle of the entertainment program was the gala dinner at Gazprom Arena, which was attended by 2+ thousand of guests.

At the stand arranged by Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, the Gas for Russia public media studio was opened. The visitors of the studio were welcome to talk to the hosts and share their impressions about the Forum or expert insights on the current situation in the Russian gas industry.

The Russia – Co-occurence of good news online studio worked during the Forum, too. It was a collaboration of St. Petersburg Diary and ExpoForum International. There, key speakers and media people of SPIGF were interviewed by the journalists.

“Results of the 12^th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum were beyond the boldest expectations. As far as key parameters are regarded, the event has hit all the records in its entire history. Once again, the Forum has confirmed its status as the main industrial event in Russia and the world. To a significant extent, it became possible thanks to Gazprom, the Forum’s General Partner,” outlined Sergey Voronkov, President of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, CEO of ExpoForum International. He also invited all the participants and guests to join the Forum in 2024. 

SPIGF 2023 was arranged with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, and the Government of St. Petersburg.

The coorganisers of the SPIGF convention program were Gazprom, Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, Gazprom Nedra, Gazprombank (Joint Stock Company), Gazstroyprom, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus, Gas Industry Magazine, Media Worlds (Media Miry), Gazprom Invest, Gazprom Bureniye, RusGazBureniye, Gazprom Komplektatsiya, Russian Gas Society, Academic magazine of the Russian Gas Society, New Technologies of the Gas Industry Association of Equipment Producers, Gazprom Gas-Engine Fuel, Gazprom Proektirovanie, Gazprom Pererabotka, Gazprom UGS, Gazprom Spacecraft Assembly, Integration and Testing Facility, RBEN, SIBUR, Consortium of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Prompribor-R, Institute of Oil and Gas Technology Initiatives, Main Company of COMITA Group of Companies, National Oil and Gas Forum, Energoleaders Business Club, BELAZ, Russian-Asian Business Council, Rusatom Overseas, Gazprom Hydrogen, Sk RnD Market, Platform for R&D customers and performers by Skolkovo Foundation,B1 Group of Companies, Interregional Union ‘Club of Young Industrialists’, Moscow Client Bank,
GT Energo, Alpha Steel, Journalist Guild, Technological Development Agency, Russian National Committee of World Petroleum Council, EnergoInnovatsiya Association of Innovative Energy Enterprises, RBC St. Petersburg, Russia – Latin America Business Centre, Power and Industry of Russia Newspaper, National Technology Transfer Association, RUSSOFT, St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange, BitRiver Management Company, Expert Analytical Centre (Expert North-West and Expert Siberia and Far East Magazines), National LNG Association, Gas Union of Yugra, and International Shukhov Foundation.

Gazprom was the general partner of SPIGF 2023, and the TMK became the general sponsor.

SPIGF 2023 Partners: Zagorsk Pipe Plant, Gazprombank (Joint Stock Company), Main Company of COMITA Group of Companies, Rossiya Bank, Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation, HMS Group, United Metallurgical Company, Gazprom Bureniye, Salavat Catalyst Plant, Gazprom GNP Holding, UEC, Rosatom State Corporation, RUMO plant, FracJet-Volga, Bunter Group, Gazprom ID Operator, Technoavia, and Zenit Football Club.

Official insurance partner: SOGAZ.

Telecommunication partner: Rostelecom.

Gala dinner partner: Winline.

Cultural program partner: Imperial Porcelain Manufactory.

General media partners: Territoriya NEFTEGAS and Gas Industry.

General industry information partner: Neftegaz.ru.

General industry media partner: SPHERE. OIL AND GAS.

Strategic media partner: Exposition Oil Gas.

Official industry media partner: Power and Industry of Russia.

Publisher of the SPIGF Show Daily official newspaper: United Industrial Publishers.

Style partner: Indever.

Official translating agency: Voice of the World.

Official SPIGF 2023 restaurants: Taiga Chalet, Lou Lou, PALKIN, Stroganoff Bar & Grill, Stroganoff, Mansarda, Terrasa.

Forum organiser: ExpoForum International.

Exhibition coorganiser: FAREXPO.