Cuba

CdoGEO adapts to changing environment to complete 2025 with new successes

In 2025, CdoGEO (Center for Advanced Training) demonstrated its ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing external conditions. Work in the oil and gas sector—just as across the entire economy—required special flexibility from us, the adoption of modern approaches, and unwavering attention to the quality of our educational programs.

Under these conditions, CdoGEO confirmed its resilience. We strengthened our competencies and once again proved that we are a reliable partner for the oil and gas industry, capable of delivering results in any situation.

The results of 2025 speak for themselves. In 2025, 812 employees from oil and gas companies completed training—PJSC Rosneft (and subsidiaries), PJSC Gazprom (and subsidiaries), PJSC Surgutneftegaz, PJSC LUKOIL (and subsidiaries), PJSC Gazprom Neft, PJSC Tatneft, Tyumen Oil Research Center LLC, TNG-Group LLC, Bashneft-Dobycha LLC, Lukoil–West Siberia LLC, JSC Orenburgneft, RN Service, JSC Tyumenneftegaz, Gazpromneft-Terminal LLC, Sakhalin Energy LLC, ROSPAN INTERNATIONAL JSC, and RN BashNIPIneft.

Of these, 626 participants undertook advanced training, 91 completed professional retraining programs, 26 certificates were issued, and 96 Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies students obtained in-demand blue-collar qualifications: “Oil and Gas Production Operator, Grade 3 (for students)” and “Survey Technician for Topographic-Geodetic and Mine Surveying Works, Grade 3.”

CdoGEO developed 21 new programs in the most relevant areas:

  • Geological exploration: “Geology and Exploration of Mineral Deposits,” “Lithology and Mineralogy with Fundamentals of Crystallography and Petrography,” “Structural Geology and Geological Mapping,” “Geochemical Studies,” “Ground-Penetrating Radar Surveying.”

  • Design and modeling: “Integrated Design for Field Development Infrastructure,” “Laser Scanning for Engineering Surveys,” “3D Modeling Based on Laser Scanning Data.”

  • Metrology and standardization: “Determination of Reference Elevation,” “Control and Supervision in the Field of Metrological Assurance of Measurement Uniformity,” “Ensuring Measurement Uniformity. Organizing Metrological Support in Oil and Gas Production.”

  • Economics and management: “Economic Evaluation of Projects,” “Project Management for Field Development Infrastructure,” “KPI (Key Performance Indicators): a system of strategic management and performance control, and building an effective internal communications system in oil and gas production enterprises.”

  • Related areas: “Technosphere Safety and Occupational Health,” “General Course in Land Management. Forest Use. Cadastral Activities. Urban Planning Documentation.”

This year we achieved a record geographical reach, bringing together specialists from opposite corners of the planet in one learning process. During one training week, our courses simultaneously enrolled managers and specialists across a range of 16 time zones—from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russian, to Havana, Cuba.

CdoGEO successfully delivered a specialized professional development program for six specialists from Cuba’s state oil company, CUPET. Within the course "Non-Seismic Methods for Hydrocarbon Prospecting,” Cuban colleagues not only learned about advanced Russian technologies in geological exploration and oil refining, but also became familiar with the university’s modern laboratory facilities and those of partner enterprises.

In addition, specialists from Vietnam (Vietsovpetro JV), Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan successfully completed training. Visits by delegations from Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (Vietnam) and Yangtze University (China) reinforced intentions to develop joint educational programs and scientific exchanges.

Collaboration with Rosneft reached a new level: more than 300 specialists from key subsidiaries completed training in nine programs.

Another major event of the year was a strategic session for Gazprom.

Every year, Surgut State University sends students to our Center for retraining; this year, students and specialists from Saint Petersburg State University also completed advanced training.

In partnership with the Mendeleev All-Russian Research Institute for Flow Measurement (VNIIR), CdoGEO conducted specialized metrology courses for oil and gas processing enterprises. Training under the program “Ensuring Measurement Uniformity” was completed by specialists from more than 15 companies, including plants and production assets of Rosneft.

The Center also successfully delivered a special, individualized metrology course for specialists of Tatneft. The program “Control and Supervision in the Field of Metrological Assurance of Measurement Uniformity” was fully adapted to the company’s current tasks, combining in-depth theory with extensive practical training.

A key feature was the off-site format: participants visited leading KFU laboratories, the All-Russian Research Institute for Flow Measurement, and the R&D and production base of INKOMSYSTEM, where they studied the development and implementation of modern measurement systems.

CdoGEO not only trains specialists, but also actively helps shape the industry agenda.

In May 2025, representatives of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies took an active part in the Russian Oil and Gas Chemical Forum in Ufa. Head of CdoGEO Ildus Chukmarov presented its activities, emphasizing the key role of continuing education in preparing personnel who can adapt to market demands.

An important outcome of the forum were strengthened ties with industrial partners and a meeting with IGPT alumni holding leading positions in the industry’s companies (Bashneft-Dobycha LLC, PJSC Gazprom, PJSC Transneft, etc.). This clearly confirmed the high quality of training at KFU. Participation in such a significant industry event allowed the university to enhance its presence in the professional community and outline new vectors for cooperation.

A seminar that brought together industry representatives and patent attorneys from Russia, Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia became an important platform for discussing intellectual property protection when entering Middle Eastern markets. Deputy Director of IGPT Ildus Chukmarov presented the university’s potential, noting KFU’s 35th place in the QS world ranking for petroleum engineering and its annual registration of about 200 patents. He emphasized the institute’s readiness to cooperate with legal firms to protect innovations.

In July 2025, Pavel Marinychev, CEO of ALROSA, paid a working visit to the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies. Ildus Chukmarov noted the successful experience of delivering the professional development program “ArcGIS for Desktop” for the company’s employees in Mirny.

CdoGEO contributed to the development of IGPT's scientific and international activities. With the Center’s support, the conferences Carbonate Reservoirs 2025 and Chemical EOR Methods were held, bringing together industry leaders from Russia, China, and Vietnam.

Participation by CdoGEO leadership in professional competitions (“Geophysicist Skills”) and the ROSTKI Russia-China Forum helped attract new partners such as Vietsovpetro JV and strengthen academic ties with foreign universities.

Active work by CdoGEO in negotiations secured new contracts for the institute, including orders on increasing oil recovery (IOR) for Vietsovpetro JV, and expanded KFU’s international presence in Asian countries.

On November 17, an IGPT delegation presented scientific developments and the Center’s continuing education programs in the oil and gas sphere at an international symposium in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Following the meetings, agreements were reached to expand cooperation; in particular, in May 2026, CdoGEO plans to welcome employees of Kim Chaek University of Technology.

The foundation of CdoGEO's success is its people.

We express our deep gratitude to leading external expert practitioners: Damir Gilaev, Georgy Mozgovoy, Artur Ishmiev, and Pavel Solovyov. Special appreciation goes to the faculty of IGPT: Boris Platov, Iosif Fishman, Alexander Kondakov, Eduard Ziganshin, Alexey Lobanov, Renat Zagretdinov, Aidar Zagretdinov, Ruslan Komarov, Irek Mukhamatdinov, Mikhail Varfolameev, and Vladislav Sudakov.

We also thank the Shtukenberg Geological Museum of Kazan Federal University, the History Museum, the Kazan Kremlin Museum Reserve, the Giuseppe Hotel, and the laboratories of IGPT for their cooperation.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank the leadership of KFU, IGPT, our partners, instructors, external experts, and clients for our fruitful joint work! Special words of gratitude go to everyone who worked and continues to work as part of CdoGEO, taking part in implementing our programs. The outgoing year was not easy, but the Center stood firm and formed a solid foundation for growth in 2026, which will be an anniversary year for CdoGEO—we will turn 15!”, concludes Ildus Chukmarov.

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Record-breaking geographical scope for CdoGEO sees students from Cuba and Russia acquiring new expertise

From November 24 to 28, 2025, the Center for Advanced Training (CdoGEO) of held training sessions across several programs. 77 specialists and executives from key Rosneft enterprises and other major Russian fuel and energy companies arrived at KFU. "It's gratifying to note that this week we broke the record for simultaneously training students from regions with different time zones. Currently, this number covers 16 time zones, from Havana to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, with participants in this week's courses representing virtually every time zone in Russia," shared Ildus Chukmarov. The CdoGEO advanced training week was intensive and covered six areas crucial to the modern oil and gas industry: "Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry as a Primary Tool for Geochemical Research" "Modern Geodetic Technologies in Surveying and Construction" "Class I-III Leveling" "Drilling and Completing Horizontal Wells" "Ensuring Measurement Uniformity. Organizing Metrology Support in Oil Product Supply" "Non-Seismic Methods for Hydrocarbon Deposit Exploration" The geography and list of participating companies were impressive. Representatives from the following companies attended: Cuban National Company CUPET, Otradnensky Gas Processing Plant, Irkutsknefteprodukt, Samaranefteprodukt, RN-Moscow, RN-Rostovnefteprodukt, Ryazannefteprodukt, RN-Northwest, Tulanefteprodukt, Sheremetyevo Fueling Company, Rosneft-Stavropol, Rosneft-Altainefteprodukt, RN-Marine Terminal Arkhangelsk, RN-Yaroslavl, Kaluganefteprodukt, ROSPAN INTERNATIONAL, Sakhalinmorneftegaz-Shelf, Orenburgneft, RN-Vankor, RN-Yuganskneftegaz, Kharampurneftegaz, Kynsko-Chaselskoye Neftegaz, Verkhnechonskneftegaz, Tyumenneftegaz, TomskNIPI, Samotlorneftegaz, RN-Bureniye, and GAZPROM PROEKTIROVANIE. Ildus Chukmarov commented on the results of the week, "Conducting intensive professional development programs is not just an educational service; it is a strategic goal of CdoGEO. Our courses, developed by leading KFU professors, experts, and partners of our Center, allow us to provide students with the most relevant knowledge and practical skills in a short time. Thanks to this, our students return again and again to new continuing education programs." Upon completion of the training, all students received certificates of advanced training in the established format from Kazan Federal University.
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Russia-Cuba Friendship Society celebrated 60th anniversary

The ceremony took place on 14 November 2024 at the Central House of Scientists in Moscow. Ildus Chukmarov, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies for Advanced Training and Industrial Partnerships, Chairman of the Tatarstan Regional Branch of the Russia-Cuba Friendship Society. The participants were welcomed by Alexei Lavrov, President of RCFS, Julio Garmendia Peña, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Russia, and Leonid Savin, Chairman of the Board of the Fidel Castro Foundation. The event began with the premiere of a documentary about the sixty-year history of the RCFS, which was met with great applause. After that there were reports: Hero of the Republic of Cuba, President of the Cuban Peoples' Friendship Institute Fernando Gonzalez Llort presented a report “Recognition of the RCFS for the contribution to the movement of solidarity with Cuba in Russia”; Alexey Lavrov spoke on “The 60th anniversary of the RCFS: History, Modernity and Prospects“; Vladimir Davydov, Scientific Director of the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke about ‘The Historical Significance of the Cuban Revolution and Factors of International Solidarity’; Irina Kiviko, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea and Head of the Crimean Branch of the RCFS, devoted her report to the interaction between the regions of Russia and Cuba (”Regions of Russia together with Cuba!“); Victor Shabrin, Vice-President of the Russian Union of Journalists of Cuba, presented his new book “Cuba - My Love!”. In Victor Shabrin's book he talked about the activities of the Regional Branch of RCFS in the Republic of Tatarstan under the leadership of Ildus Chukmarov. It should be noted that the All-Union Soviet-Cuban Friendship Society was founded on November 11, 1964. Its first president was first human in space Yuri Gagarin, and the first organizational meeting was attended by a Cuban government delegation headed by Ernesto Che Guevara. The core of the Tatarstan regional branch of the Russian Society for Friendship with Cuba, established in 2019, is the Center for Advanced Training, Quality Management and Marketing (CdoGEO) of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of Kazan Federal University. KFU cooperates with specialists from the Republic of Cuba in scientific and educational areas. The friendship of the peoples of the Republic of Tatarstan with the Republic of Cuba in the post-Soviet period has been maintained through additional professional education. The renewed Regional Branch of RCFS for the Republic of Tatarstan under the leadership of Ildus Chukmarov started its active work in 2021. Members of the Tatarstan branch are 21 people - employees and partners of CdoGEO. The main objectives of the Regional Branch of RCFS for the Republic of Tatarstan were defined as: - Helping Cuban companies to increase oil production at the lowest possible cost; - Ensuring Cuba's energy independence; - Improving the quality and standard of living of the Cuban people through the application of new technologies and knowledge. From 1978 to 1988, 250 Cubans studied at Kazan University, successfully passed exams and received diplomas. About 150 of them work today in Cuba and hold positions in the education system and national economy of Cuba; other graduates live and work in Europe, Africa, and Latin American countries. In 2017, Danis Nurgaliyev, Vice-Rector for Earth Sciences, and Ildus Chukmarov, Director of CdoGEO, visited the Republic of Cuba. During the visit, they familiarized themselves with the oil and gas industry and discussed joint scientific and educational projects.
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Institute shows new developments and holds meetings at TatOilExpo 2024

Among the many events was the agreement signing with Yugra State University. The Forum is an effective platform for exchange of ideas, discussion of key industry issues by Russian and foreign specialists and the scientific community of the oil and gas industry, demonstration of the latest developments and technologies, and a meeting place for the scientific, industrial and business communities. Kazan Federal University traditionally takes part in the forum. For the fourth year in a row it organizes a stand at TatOilExpo under the auspices of the Center for Liquid Hydrocarbons. This year, as part of the forum, KFU organized a roundtable Solving the problems of the oil and gas industry within the framework of a world-class scientific center. “In the report we presented technologies relevant for the oil and gas production industry, which are aimed at reducing the costs of prospecting and exploration of new fields, reducing the environmental burden and economic costs of their development, increasing oil production, as well as the digital transformation of the industry. These technologies have been developed by the Center's scientists,” emphasized Danis Nurgaliev, Vice-Rector for Earth Sciences. One part of KFU's stand was dedicated to water projects. “Water is a unique substance. It is the basis of all living things, a valuable resource, and also a research tool,” said Junior Research Associate Ilyas Bashirov. "We consider water from the point of view of human health, a source of valuable mineral resources, scientific works, achievements, and future plans to use water in various branches of life." “The zone of specialized chemistry for oil and gas industry presents unique samples of surfactants, polymers, gels and binary systems, and other specialized reagents developed by specialists of Kazan Federal University on the basis of domestic raw materials for a wide range of reservoir conditions of Russian fields. These innovative products are relevant in the context of modern chemical methods of enhanced oil recovery, as they allow to significantly increase the efficiency of oil production and reduce operating costs. The use of domestic raw materials ensures high quality of products and their availability for oil producing companies. Also, KFU plans to create and develop a center for engineering development on low-tonnage chemistry and increasing technological maturity of new products of Kazan Federal University on the basis of its own projected production site," said Chair of the Department of Petroleum Engineering Mikhail Varfolomeev. Another zone was devoted to carbonate deposits, which are a strategically important development site in the Republic of Tatarstan, accounting for 52% of all oil deposits in the region, and their potential has not yet been exhausted. Kazan Federal University has a number of unique technologies and techniques for studying carbonate reservoirs, including innovative enhanced oil recovery methods. The university's fundamental knowledge of basin modeling and reconstruction of sedimentation conditions, as well as our close cooperation with oil companies in the region, allow us to successfully develop carbonate reservoirs. “The unique geological conditions of Tatarstan create favorable prerequisites for successful development of carbonate reservoirs, which will contribute to strengthening the region's position as a leading center of the oil industry in Russia and beyond," noted Deputy Director of IGPT for Innovation Vladislav Sudakov. The Center for Advanced Training (CdoGEO) also joined the exhibition. Director of CdoGEO Ildus Chukmarov noted, “During the event we met with our long-standing partners and alumni, including representatives of Tatneft, TNG-Group, Belorusneft. It was a pleasure to communicate with Nikolai Kuzmichyov, Director of Neft 21 Vek LLC, with whom we realized courses for managers and specialists of CUPET (Cuba). With representatives of the China University of Petroleum we discussed the expansion of cooperation in education. We also had a meeting with representatives of the Venezuelan oil and gas company PDVSA, during which we discussed the content of the memorandum and the implementation of advanced education courses for PDVSA employees. In addition, during the forum the awarding of laureates for scientific achievements in various nominations took place. Alexei Vakhin, Head of the In-Situ Combustion Lab, was awarded with the 2nd degree diploma for the development of a new thermobarochemical technology for the development of hard-to-recover fields. And the 2nd degree diploma was awarded to Alexander Bolotov, Associate Professor of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, for the development of a kinetic inhibitor of hydrate formation."
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CdoGEO KFU successfully conducted training in Cuba for CUPET specialists

From May 20 to 24, the Center for Advanced Training, Quality Management and Marketing (CdoGEO) of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of the Kazan Federal University conducted training in Havana under the advanced training program “Modern technologies for enterprise management in the oil and gas industry (operational management).” The course has been participated by managers and specialists of the CUPET oil and gas company. (далее…)
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Kazan Federal University continues to implement additional professional education programs for the Cuban oil company CUPET (Cuba)

On October 3rd, representatives from the Cuban national oil and gas company CUPET, including the Director of Human Resources, Tania Perez, and the Head of Training and Development, Mario Miranda, visited the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies at Kazan Federal University. (далее…)
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Чукмаров Ильдус Адгамович
Чукмаров Ильдус Адгамович

CdoGEO KFU will increase the number of ongoing training programs for employees of the Cuban oil company CUPET, including a course on “The use of catalysts for the production of high-viscosity oil”

On February 23, the Center for Advanced Training, Quality Management and Marketing (CdoGEO) of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of Kazan Federal University traditionally received a working visit from the head of training and development of the Cuban company CUPET, Mario Miranda, and the Director of Human Resources for CUPET, Tania Perez. (далее…)
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Heads of the national oil and gas company CUPET arrived to CdoGEO KFU from Cuba for full-time training

On November 18, heads of the oil and gas company CUPET arrived in Kazan from Cuba. From November 21 to 25, the specialists are undergoing advanced training under the  “Investigaciones geólogo-tecnológicas de pozos” program at the Center for Advanced Training, Quality Management and Marketing (CdoGEO) of the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies of Kazan Federal University. (далее…)
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