14/02/2019

Press release: Gazprom Neft’s construction of a catalyst plant in Omsk endorsed by the Government of the Russian Federation

Gazprom Neft, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Omsk Oblast have concluded a special investment contract on establishing a high-tech oil refining catalyst production facility. The agreement was signed at the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi by Denis Manturov, Minister for Industry and Trade, Alexander Burkov, Governor of the Omsk Oblast, and Alexander Chembulaev, CEO of Gazpromneft Catalytic Systems.

This special investment contract stipulates Gazprom Neft’s commitments in terms of the construction and management of a modern domestic catalysts production facility in Omsk, and guarantees a consistent tax and regulatory regime on the part of the government. The complex’s 21-tonne-per-year catalyst production capacity will ensure the refining industry’s independence from foreign suppliers, create export opportunities, and create new, high-tech jobs in the region. Construction of the complex is expected to be completed by 2021.

Future catalyst production will be designed on the principle of full-cycle technology, allowing catalyst components and carriers to be produced from raw materials from Russian suppliers. Cutting-edge automated control systems and equipment will allow flexibility in modifying catalyst composition, meaning products can be adapted in line with client requirements. Quality control will be undertaken through the company’s own analytical laboratory and engineering centre — in which Russia’s first pilot catalytic cracking facility is already in operation. All catalysts and related production technologies are protected under 35 Russian and international patents.

Denis Manturov, Minister for Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, confirmed: “Gazprom Neft’s project in developing catalyst production marks a breakthrough, and not just for the oil refining industry. This investment is also helping to support strategic scientific research, as well as promoting demand for the development and production of Russian solutions and equipment. The goods produced here will be able to compete on equal terms with imported alternatives on the domestic and international markets, in a sector that was, until very recently, critically dependent on imports. Catalyst production here will involve Russian helium technology — something unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Once the plant goes into production, total output under the special investment contract is expected to be more than 100,000 tonnes — part of which will be exported. The document signed today is a further stabilising factor in a wide-ranging, Federal-level project.”

Alexander Dyukov, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft, commented: “We are the first in Russia to launch large-scale production of modern catalytic solutions for oil refining, based on domestic technology. In partnership with Russian academics Gazprom Neft is making possible the production of goods with functionality far in excess of global alternatives. This new production facility will be focussed not just on the domestic market, but will also be able to offer high-quality Russian catalytic systems to international customers. Systemic governmental support for important innovation projects plays a major role in developing this area.”

Alexander Burkov, Governor of the Omsk Oblast, added: “This investment project is crucially important to the further development of the Omsk Oblast, and we fully support Gazprom Neft’s initiative in establishing this innovative and knowledge-intensive facility in our region, specifically. This new, high-tech enterprise will create jobs for talented, highly qualified specialists — many of whom are already being trained in Omsk’s higher educational institutions. The Omsk Oblast will be gaining a unique production facility, and one of importance to the entire domestic refining industry in introducing import substitution in the catalyst market. This production facility will give further impetus to the growth of the construction sector and related infrastructure, further increasing the investment attractiveness and economic potential of the Omsk Oblast.”

The company is currently completing initial works on the project, and preparing the site for construction.

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