Gazprom Neft and the Government of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug have Agreed on the Joint Development of Unmanned Vehicles in Yugra

Gazprom Neft and the Government of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of unmanned vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and the use of software and hardware systems based on artificial intelligence.

The document was signed by Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Gazprom Neft Management Committee, and Natalya Komarova, Governor of KhMAO-Yugra. The agreement defines the main areas of joint work of the parties in the field of testing and subsequent industrial implementation of unmanned vehicles in the district. The collaboration also aims to expand opportunities for the use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in logistics operations and other areas of the company’s activities in the region.

Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra participates in an experiment initiated by the government of the Russian Federation on the trial operation of highly automated vehicles on public roads. With the support of the Okrug authorities, Gazprom Neft will continue testing unmanned vehicles on the in-field roads of the fields *. The agreement also creates new opportunities for testing and using unmanned aircraft, which have been used to monitor the company’s oil pipelines and production infrastructure in Ugra for several years **.

In  2020-2021 , Gazprom Neft plans to conduct a series of tests of unmanned vehicles GAZelle and KAMAZ in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Cars without drivers will help to optimize transport processes and increase the safety of cargo transportation. In the future, equipment controlled by artificial intelligence can take over most of the logistics operations in the fields in Ugra. Testing experience at Gazprom Neft facilities can also be used in an experiment to bring unmanned vehicles onto public roads.

“KhMAO – Yugra is a key region for the domestic oil industry. It not only produces about 40% of all Russian oil, but also implements innovative technological projects that determine the future of our industry. The development of unmanned technologies is one such project. Gazprom Neft is already actively using unmanned aerial vehicles in the region to monitor the condition of oil pipelines and a number of other works. There are also the first successful pilot results on the use of unmanned electric vehicles in the fields of our company in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. As part of the new agreement with the District Government, we will continue to explore opportunities for wider application of these technologies, as well as develop other innovative, including digital solutions in logistics. “

Alexander DyukovChairman of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft

“The document sets out the mutual obligations of the parties, including the pilot operation of unmanned cargo vehicles on the departmental roads of Gazprom Neft, which will enhance the safety level of the participants in this experiment.”

Natalia KomarovaGovernor of KhMAO-Ugra