St Petersburg University and Gazprom Neft have developed a unique digital platform for forecasting asset development
Specialists from St Petersburg University and the Gazprom Neft Science and Technology Centre have created a unique IT system ‘ERA: ProActive’ for the integrated data analysis of hydrocarbon reserves. Cognitive algorithms built into the programme facilitate timely evaluation of proven reserves and make it possible to predict the development of existing and new assets, with myriads of factors taken into account. The programme optimises up to 90% of routine operations when analysing reserves.
The data on the Gazprom Neft resource base include the results of thousands of explorations since 1981. This is information on: reserve volumes; geological features of assets; and physical and chemical properties of oil and gas. Assessing that amount of data for tackling ongoing tasks took a large number of working hours.
The Electronic Asset Development (EAD, or ERA) is a development strategy for Gazprom Neft digital projects in the field of exploration and production. It covers all key areas of activity: geological prospecting and exploration; geology; drilling; development; production; and installation of field facilities. There are currently about 40 projects under way that are included in the ERA.
The ERA: ProActive makes it possible to optimise the resource base and put in place its development strategy. The programme includes constantly updated information on the company's assets. The developed algorithms are based on a comprehensive production forecast and the current state of the company’s resource base. They make it possible to develop a balanced approach to replace reserves, and maintain and increase the production of an asset in the long term.
The new tool will help geologists, developers, economists, managers of mining enterprises or government agencies to solve the challenges they face. The developed tool can be adapted to any database, including a nationwide one.
‘The success of any project in software development is based both on the professionalism of its participants, and on an appropriate selection of the development process and tools. Together with the experts from the Gazprom Neft Science and Technology Centre, we managed to put an effective team together in the shortest possible time and set up the process following a flexible methodology. I would like to note that developing a system without any precedents is innovative and creative work that has become possible thanks to an ongoing open and constructive dialogue with our partners. As a result, we have an advanced IT system that visualises large amounts of data in a user-friendly format,’ said Marat Nemeshev, Assistant Professor at the Department of System Programming, St Petersburg University, and the development team coordinator of the project.
The project was implemented as part of the ERA technology initiative. St Petersburg University acted as a partner in developing software. The programme and the corresponding trademark have been registered by the Federal Service for Intellectual Property.
We are the first in the industry to develop a programme that makes it possible to see the company's full resource base at any time. There simply hasn’t been anything like this before.
Alexei Vashkevich, Head of Technological Development, Gazprom Neft
‘This is a major step forward in reserves management not just for our company, but also for the industry as a whole. Representatives of relevant ministries have already seen our programme. In the future, they will be able to apply these solutions to develop a similar, industry-wide platform. The new IT system will be able to be used as a commercial product that we will offer on the open market,’ said Alexei Vashkevich, head of technological development, Gazprom Neft.