KAZAKHSTAN UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS technology and R&d ...

The main messages
10
The roadmapping project has gathered and
carefully analysed information from a wide
range of expert sources – and there has
been a strong logic applied to what has
been a highly rigorous process.
Important points have emerged throughout
the project from the various visits, meetings
and workshops. However, the main
messages only crystallised at the end of
the work, once the challenges facing the
upstream oil and gas industry in Kazakhstan,
and the solutions to them, had been properly
assessed. This is reflected in this document
with the main messages fully presented in
the last section, ‘addressing the challenges’.
The section comprises three themes covering
R&D focus, industry opportunities and skills
development.
In summary
R&D focus – a need for more
communication and better planning
on a national scale
A wide variety of R&D focus areas
were identified during the course of the
roadmapping project. Four areas stand out:
correlation of NMR core data from SCAL
studies with well logs; the use of non-metallic
materials in highly corrosive environments;
sulphur storage and its applications; and
bio- and nano-sensors for environmental
monitoring.
It would be reasonable to expect R&D
proposals from the Kazakhstan academic
community to centre around these areas
and, in time, to see Kazakhstan develop
strong capabilities in the NMR interpretation
of complex rocks, in the use of nonmetallic
pipelines and in the utilisation
of sulphur (sour gas to power was seen
as a particularly interesting opportunity
in this area). Kazakhstan is already well
recognized for its environmental services
and, with more R&D, should realistically aim
to become an industry leader in this area.
The process of identifying R&D priorities
that was begun during the roadmapping
project is one that must be carried out on a
continuous basis and become more focused
and directed. There is a strong case for the
establishment of a council at government
level, including representatives from industry
and the academic community, tasked with
national R&D strategy development and
planning in Kazakhstan. R&D in Kazakhstan
suffers severely from a lack of communication
and collaboration, especially between the
parties seeking solutions and those able
to generate them: one of the more striking
features to emerge from the roadmapping
project is the relatively poor communication
between the upstream oil operators and
the Kazakhstan academic community. An
organization with authority is needed to
control and coordinate upstream oil and
gas R&D in Kazakhstan, to provide focus, to
determine funding and monitor the outcomes
of the work.
Kazakhstan Upstream oil and gas technology and R&D roadmap