IGPT KFU expands cooperation with Cuba. The leaders of the oil and gas company CUPET (Cuba) successfully completed training at CdoGEO

The Center for Advanced Training, Quality Management and Marketing (CdoGEO) of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of Kazan Federal University successfully completed training for the leaders of the oil and gas company CUPET under the advanced training program “Investigaciones geólogo-tecnológicas de pozos”. This course was developed within the framework of the World-Class Scientific Center “Rational Development of Liquid Hydrocarbons of the Planet”.

The 10-day program of the course included lectures by leading teachers and experts, tours of laboratories, meetings with KFU partners, round tables and a visit to RITEK LLC. The program was implemented by: Senior Lecturer of the Department of Geophysics and Geoinformation Technologies IGPT KFU Viktor Kosarev, Head of the Center for Drilling Support of the Department of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering of JSC Bashneftegeofizika Dinar Valitov, Geologist of the 1st category of the Center for Drilling Support of the Department of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering of JSC Bashneftegeofizika Alexander Melnikov, representatives of LLC NPF ” Packer, OOO TNG-Group, VNIIR-branch of FSUE VNIIM named after D.I. Mendeleev” and LLC RITEK.

“The training of Cubans was organized by CdoGEO KFU, which is an exporter of FVE programs,” says Ildus Chukmarov, Deputy Director for Marketing, Director of the Center for Advanced Training, Quality Management and Marketing (CdoGEO), Chairman of the Russian Society for Friendship with Cuba in the Republic of Tatarstan. CdoGEO has been cooperating with CUPET since 2015. During this time, 13 advanced training programs were implemented, 267 managers and specialists of the company were trained. We can say that CdoGEO resumed cooperation between KFU and Cuba in the history of new Russia and is a catalyst for the growth of cooperation between Russia and Cuba, KFU and CUPET in the areas of Geology and Petroleum Engineering.

During the training, CUPET leaders visited the Laboratory of isotope and elemental analysis, whose researchers work in the field of isotope geochemistry, in particular oil and gas geochemistry, chemostratigraphy and isotope geochronology. In addition, the guests visited the laboratory of X-ray computed tomography and the laboratory of geomechanics.

The guests also visited laboratories of the Butlerov Institute of Chemistry, where IGPT scientists develop technologies in the field of thermal, chemical, gas enhanced oil recovery methods.

The guests were particularly impressed by the laboratory for physical modeling of enhanced oil recovery methods with installed “Combustion pipe”, a unique installation designed to simulate and study the processes of oil displacement by various methods of enhanced oil recovery (steam, polymers, chemicals, in situ combustion), as well as assessment their applicability in field conditions.

In addition, despite difficult weather conditions, a trip to LLC RITEK was organized for CUPET executives. This is a scientific and technical testing ground of PJSC LUKOIL, which specializes in the development, testing and implementation of new technologies for the development of hard-to-recover hydrocarbon reserves and enhanced oil recovery. Guests were accompanied by Irek Mukhamatdinov, Associate Professor of the Department of Hard-To-Recover Hydrocarbons Development and Operation of IGPT KFU, who took part in the implementation of the SAGD Technology for the Production of High-Viscosity Oil programs in Havana. From the TatRITEKneft Chamber of Commerce and Industry there was Alexey Paliy, Deputy General Director – Director of the TatRITEKneft Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fanis Khairutdinov, Head of the Mikhailovka PSP, and Vladislav Babintsev, Head of the UPVSN.

During the one-day excursion, the Cubans were shown two facilities of TatRITEKneft — the Mikhailovka Receiving and Delivery Point and the Sour Oil Treatment Unit. At the PSP, CUPET managers got acquainted with the technological process of receiving, heating, storing and transporting commercial oil from oil production facilities. They examined the SIKN PSP “Mikhailovka”, learned the procedure for the delivery of marketable oil, taking into account the stringent requirements of AK “TRANSNEFT”.

At the sour oil treatment plant, the Cubans were shown the entire process chain for preparing crude, viscous, sour oil to commercial quality. The Cubans were also shown a casing where the process of stripping oil with natural gas takes place to remove hydrogen sulfide.

“The training was intense,” says Nicolas Rodriguez Alfonso, Head of Drilling Equipment. At the lectures, the teachers spoke in detail about new technologies, introduced us with the equipment and various methods. A trip to RITEK LLC turned out to be very useful, as they solve the problems that we have. This is, of course, the production of high-viscosity oil. We saw their installations, got acquainted with the capabilities of the enterprise.”

On the final day of training, a round table was organized for CUPET leaders to discuss technologies and methods for application at the fields and enterprises of CUPET. The round table was chaired by Vice-Rector for Petroleum Technologies, Environmental Management and Earth Sciences, Director of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of Kazan Federal University Danis Nurgaliev as well as Ildus Chukmarov. The event was attended by IGPT Deputy Director for Innovation, Director of IGPT EOR Center Vladislav Sudakov, Deputy Director for Research, Associate Professor of the Department of Mineralogy and Lithology of the IGPT KFU Anton Kolchugin, Head of the Department of Hard-To-Recover Hydrocarbons Development and Operation at IGPT KFU Mikhail Varfolomeev.

After listening to the reports of scientists on the IGPT developments and the application of technologies at leading oil and gas enterprises, the Cubans asked their questions of interest.

At the end of the event, there took place a solemn presentation of the established KFU standard advanced training certificates. The documents were presented by Danis Nurgaliev.

The next day, the Cubans had a videoconferencing meeting with specialists from NPF Packer LLC, the leader in the market of packer-anchor equipment and downhole assemblies.
The event was attended by NPF Packer representatives: Sales Development Director Dinar Sufiyanov, Deputy Director for Well Technology Development Artem Zmeu, First Deputy Director Farhat Khafizov, Advisor to the Director Timur Minnivaleev.

IGPT has been cooperating with NPF Packer LLC for many years. Thanks to the director of the enterprise, Marat Nagumanov, the Oil and Gas Disciplines Auditorium was opened in 2017 at the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of KFU, which regularly hosts important events.

In 2019, CdoGEO, together with NPF Packer LLC, conducted training under the advanced training program “Development and operation of wells using packer and anchor equipment” for CUPET specialists. The course was taught by Marat Aminev, Advisor to the Director of NPF Packer LLC, Honored Inventor of the Russian Federation, author of more than 63 inventions and 13 utility models.

“Specialists of NPF “Paker” held a presentation on equipment and technologies for oil and gas production using packer and anchor equipment. They demonstrated various types of technologies for oil production during pumping operation, for technological operations, as well as advanced technologies for wells cleaning. We agreed to discuss our equipment in more detail with CUPET representatives when visiting Packer Research and Production Company. We invited representatives of CUPET and Kazan Federal University to visit our enterprise in the near future,” said Dinar Ildarovich Sufiyanov, Sales Development Director.

Also, the guests were presented with gifts from SPC Packer LLC — branded backpacks with company booklets, honey and personalized towels.

The meeting with the Cubans was attended by representatives of TNG-Group LLC – Deputy General Director – Chief Geologist of the enterprise Artem Kozionov and head of the organization’s computer center Igor Ustimov. They told the guests about the company’s technologies and their application in the oilfields.

The final object for the Cubans was the VNIIR branch of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “VNIIM named after D.I. Mendeleev”.

Returning to IGPT, the leaders of CUPET thanked everyone for the warm welcome, especially Danis Nurgaliev and Ildus Chukmarov.

“Excellent coordination of the program, study and leisure balance. Very good attitude of the staff who accompanied us during the course. We appreciated the high potential of the university, which can be used in Cuba. Good course organization, content and teaching. Expectations were fully justified! I was impressed by the professional training of university scientists. We recommend combining the courses with a visit of specialists to Cuba, extending the period of study,” the Cubans noted in the satisfaction questionnaire.

Ildus Chukmarov summed up the main results of the meeting.

“Having seen all the possibilities of IGPT KFU and got acquainted with our partners, you can see that we can attract the best experts from all over Russia to solve the problems of Cuba. I think that after your visit there will be a turning point in oil production in Cuba and the accumulated problems will be gradually resolved.
Kazan Federal University is ready to act as a system integrator of technologies because we integrate everybody’s possibilities for the success of everyone! And most importantly, we have a great desire to work with you and help you produce more oil at the lowest cost to ensure the full energy independence of Cuba!”