| TOPIC OF THE ISSUE |
 Russia & CIS BBTC 2011: striving for the refining depth
11th annual conference organized by the EPC, a leading independent consulting firm took place on 13-14 April 2011 in Marriott Grand Hotel in Moscow. |
| EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION |
 Global shale gas reserves and production: retrospection and outlook
Shale gas is methane contained in the unconventional natural reservoirs (highly clayish dense rocks): aleurite, argillite and shale. Shale gas deposits occupy large acreages but are widely scattered and extremely low-permeable compared to the conventional natural gas deposits. Therefore, shale gas as well as coalbed methane and tight sand gas deposits are classified as unconventional reserves. Still, some experts believe that «hard-to-develop gas resources» is more appropriate definition. |
| REFINING |
 Ukrneftekhimproekt and AVEVA train engineers to design refineries
Currently, Ukraine's and other CIS refining and petchem design organizations have to train in-house design engineers as the universities in the former Soviet countries have not yet adopted the corresponding programmes. For this reason Ukrainian design and project management company Ukrneftekhimproekt (UNKP) in cooperation with British information O&G management solutions provider Aveva got on track with Kyiv polytechnic university (KPI) to establish refining and petchem design engineering department. |
| TECHNOLOGY |
 Man Oil Group introduced innovative oil sludge treatment technology
According to Russia's environmental watchdogs, the country's annual oil wastes accumulation accounts for 3mn t and totaled 100mn t in 2011. Waste oil underground discharging during production and oil spills clean-up malpractices (still common in the CIS) disable further use of the disposal areas. The environmental situation makes efficient oil sludge treatment highly relevant for the CIS countries. Swiss Man Oil Group (MOG) launched the production of oil sludge treatment equipment ensuring up to 95% oil wastes recovery. |
