Where Ideas are Born. The Future of Industry in the Digital Age Is Discussed at the 11th Tyumen Oil and Gas Forum 2020

The motto of the 11th Tyumen Oil and Gas Forum was: “Today digital technologies define our life. Information is the new gold”. This year, the key topic of discussion was how to overcome the consequences of the global crisis complicated by the pandemic, crude demand contraction and global changes in the world’s leading economies on the heels of decarbonization. In the challenging environment of today, oil and gas companies must accelerate the transition to a new development pattern.    

“The oil and gas and related industries have never been static. Deterioration in the quality of reserves, volatility of prices, increased competition between various types of energy resources, changes in the environmental agenda – all this gives the oil and gas and fuel and energy sectors additional impetus and accelerates transformation processes,” noted Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Executive Board at Gazprom Neft PJSC, speaking at the main plenary session “The Future Today: New Opportunities for the Industry”. Among the speakers at the event were also: Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Yuriy Borisov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Pavel Sorokin, Governor of the Tyumen Region Alexander Moor, Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District Dmitry Artyukhov, Chairman of the Management Board of SIBUR Holding PJSC Dmitry Konov, and Senior Partner at McKinsey (San Francisco) Matt Rogers.    

“The economic crisis fuelled by the pandemic caused a sharp drop in demand in all sectors of economy, and influenced the prices of gasoline, oil products, and decreased transport activity. To move beyond price volatility and complicated market situations associated with basic fossil fuels, it is necessary to proceed to deeper processing and to create new markets and products that will determine the main trends in the next decade,” emphasized Yuriy Borisov. 

The main technological trends of the coming years, and the practical application of new approaches and tools were discussed at the numerous sessions of the forum: Asset of the Future (organized by Gazprom Neft PJSC), Digital Transformation of Fuel and Energy Complex (Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Gazprom Neft PJSC), Digital Field (Rosneft PJSC), et al.  Heads of departments for digital transformation at oil and gas companies, and representatives of the leading IT companies – partners in the implementation of complex projects acted as moderators and speakers of the discussions. The main trends in the industry today are Intelligent Field, creation of up-to-date ecosystems, health and safety, robotic automation, and digital twins.

“In the next ten years, the industry will feel the effect of such factors as the development of hydrogen economy, increased tax burden, EU hydrocarbon tax, et al. To maintain its importance and status as a driver of economic growth, the oil sector must apply all means to improve competitive ability and business efficiency. Digitalization implies accuracy of forecasting (which is critically important not only at the early stages of field development, but throughout the entire life cycle of an asset), reduction of losses, rational nature management, environmental protection, health and safety. 

Each of these items has its own set of digital tools, including import-independent ones, which is also important considering tougher sanctions. In short, our perfect storm brought not only risks, but also development possibilities. I think within the next 2-4 years we will see the positive effects of digitization in the Russian oil and gas sector, implemented despite the crisis", noted Rustam Kamalov ITPS Deputy Director General for Oil and Gas Sector Solutions. 

It is worth mentioning that the 11th Tyumen Oil and Gas Forum was held with careful observation of sanitary and epidemiological safety measures. It was possible to take part in the event only with a new negative test result for COVID-19. Each participant received personal protective equipment – masks and gloves. The body temperature was measured at the entrance and hand disinfection stations were placed throughout the Technopark and the Innovations Exhibition. In 2020 the forum brought together more than 55,000 people from 28 countries, erasing the boundaries between the virtual and the real world.