Oil industry wants technology support from state
While the Russian mechanical industry can build platforms and hulls, it does not have the skills for production of offshore platform technology. The Russian Association of Oil and Gas Equipment Producers now wants the state to help boost the development of domestic oil technology companies.
The association believes state support is a prerequisite for the development of an advanced domestic oil technology industry, arguing that both Norwegian and Chinese authorities have granted support for their respective industries. The technology gap in Russian industry can be illustrated by the Vyborg Shipyard’s construction of rigs for the Shtokman project in the Barents Sea. While the Vyborg Yard constructs the hulls of the rig, the topsides are built in Korea by the SamsungHeavyIndustries. Similarly, the drilling technology will be provided by foreign companies.
