4 September 2024
One
of the most significant energy breakthroughs in Russia will be the gasification
of the Far Eastern regions. This initiative must, however, be economically
viable and oriented towards long-term development. The Amur Gas Chemical
Complex, currently under construction in the city of Svobodny in the Amur
Region, incorporates cutting-edge technological solutions. The world’s largest
plant for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene will open new
horizons for the petrochemical industry. These were the conclusions reached by
participants at the ‘Development of Far East Gas Infrastructure: Stability or
Breakthrough?’ session held as part of the Eastern Economic Forum.
KEY
CONCLUSIONS
The potential for gasification within
Russia generally, and in the Far East specifically, is substantial
“The
potential for gasification in Russia is considerable. […] It could generate an
additional RUB 15–20 billion, not only from households but also by connecting
new regions, particularly along the route of the ‘Power of Siberia-2’ pipeline,”
Pavel Sorokin, First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation.
“Approximately 70% of all facilities
financed by the federal budget are currently being established in Yakutia, as
it is the most promising oil- and gas-producing region in the Far East. Despite
Yakutia having only 36 active subsoil users, 11 new fields have been discovered
there in the past five years, five of which are major fields. These are gas
fields. This is an exceptional achievement, indicating that the region’s
potential has not yet been exhausted,” Evgeny Petrov, Head, Federal Agency for
Subsoil Use.
The gas chemical complex in the Amur
Region represents a unique experience for the petrochemical sector
“Projects of this scale have never before
been implemented in the Russian Federation; indeed, such projects are rare even
globally. This experience will greatly benefit our industrial, construction,
and petrochemical sectors, which will operate the complex. The complex
incorporates unique and advanced technological solutions, including engineering
design, environmentally friendly practices, automation, and the use of the
industrial Internet of Things. As it has been said, this complex is a dream for
chemical engineers, industrialists, and innovators alike,” Darya Borisova,
Member of the Board – Managing Director for Development and Innovations, SIBUR.
PROBLEMS
Inefficient solutions and unmet regional
obligations in implementing gasification programmes
“Regions do not always effectively ensure
the implementation of gasification. For instance, Khabarovsk hosts an
underutilized thermal power station. […] In order to supply this station with
gas and produce it more economically and efficiently, the region has decided to
establish a gas-fired boiler house in the nearby new residential quarters,” Roman
Berdnikov, First Deputy General Director, Member of the Management Board,
RusHydro.
“Most regions meet their obligations [to
prepare consumers for receiving gas – ed.]. However, there are those that have
not yet fully prepared boiler houses and other consumers for gas supplies. We
are paying attention to this matter,” Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the
Executive Board, Member of the Board of Directors, Gazprom.
SOLUTIONS
Considering regional characteristics when
making decisions on energy supply options
“When deciding on the best energy supply
approach for a given region, it is essential to consider its location and the
most cost-effective methods for energy provision. In certain cases, such as
isolated areas in Yakutia, it is clearly impractical to extend gas pipelines.
[…] In such locations, renewable energy sources can and are being utilized,
reducing the cost of these resources for consumers,” Vitaly Korolev, Deputy
Head, Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation.
“Which economically accessible resource is
available in the region? If a resource is both affordable and abundant, it can
serve as a strategic foundation for developing the energy sector. […] It is
crucial to rethink approaches in the Far East, based on the region’s unique
characteristics. The region lacks the powerful resource fields found in Western
Siberia,” Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Member of
the Board of Directors, Gazprom.
Making the most efficient decisions in
implementing regional gasification projects
“It is essential to make decisions that
align with the efficiency we are discussing. […] There are several regions
where we can reallocate gas currently being used in less efficient ways, in our
view, towards more effective solutions. […] There is no need to build new
boiler houses; we should simply expand the load and upgrade the existing
thermal facilities,” Roman Berdnikov, First Deputy General Director, Member of
the Management Board, RusHydro.
*This is a translation of material that was originally
generated in Russian using artificial intelligence.
For more information, visit the Roscongress
Foundation’s Information and Analytical System at roscongress.org/en.
