25-05-2018

Gazprom Neft and RVC join forces in the hunt for innovative digital solutions

Gazprom Neft and RVC (the Russian Government fund of funds and the Development Institute of the Russian Federation) have signed a Cooperation Agreement at this year’s St Petersburg International Economic Forum, with both organisations intending to work together in engaging Russia’s innovative start-up community in developing a digital platform.* Signatories to the document were Gazprom Neft’s Deputy CEO for Logistics, Processing and Sales, Anatoly Cherner, and RVC’s Director for Innovative Infrastructure Development, Mikhail Antonov.

The agreement envisages cooperation in developing an innovative digital ecosystem and creating an environment conducive to developing projects in high technologies, supporting technological developments with high growth potential. Collaboration with RVC will give Gazprom Neft direct and immediate access to a pipeline of tech start-up projects in finding innovative solutions. Companies and individuals involved in the innovation ecosystem, meanwhile, will be able to gain expertise and build skills in implementing their projects, as well as gaining insights into best practice at Gazprom Neft. The agreement is to be implemented by the Gazprom Neft Digital Innovations Centre (DIC).

Established in April 2018, the DIC is responsible for identifying, developing and implementing Big Data and blockchain technologies, as well as technologies for predictive management, digital twins for Gazprom Neft enterprises, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and self-learning systems based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

As part of its collaboration with RVC specialists from the DIC will be acting as mentors to breakthrough Russian start-ups, as well as offering the opportunity for ideas put forward to be implemented in practice, in response to Gazprom Neft’s immediate challenges and objectives, and in line with available production resources.

Gazprom Neft’s Deputy CEO for Logistics, Processing and Sales, Anatoly Cherner commented: “For Gazprom Neft, the transition to digital technologies means growth in production efficiencies, as well as environmental and workplace safety. Our company’s operations cover the widest possible range of areas, which means we are creating demand for the widest possible range of digital products, engaging everyone involved in Russia’s innovation ecosystem in finding and developing new breakthrough solutions.”

Mikhail Antonov, Director for Innovative Infrastructure Development, RVC, added: “Gazprom Neft has set itself an ambitious challenge — its full digital transformation, in implementing which it has not limited itself to its own resources, but is utilising various ‘open innovation’ tools. RVC is ready and willing to provide support in organising collaboration with all stakeholders and in involving cutting-edge solutions in developing our partner’s business.”