Experience of Interaction Between Yugra State University and Salym Petroleum Development in Implementing Infrastructure and Applied Science Projects

Modern oil production requires not only the implementation of safe technologies but also a deep understanding of the environmental impact of production. Voluntary climate initiatives are becoming a natural part of the sustainable development strategy of large enterprises. During the presentation, the speaker details the experience of interaction between Salym Petroleum Development and Yugra State University in implementing applied science projects aimed at greenhouse gas monitoring and biodiversity conservation.

The Role of Peat Bogs in Greenhouse Gas Absorption

Traditionally, forests are considered the main absorber of carbon dioxide. However, the speaker emphasizes an important nuance: trees actively absorb CO2 from the age of 10, but after a century they begin to decay and turn into a source of emissions themselves. In contrast, peat bogs, which the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug is rich in, are capable of accumulating and retaining greenhouse gases for centuries.

To accurately account for this natural resource, the company is integrating into a network of greenhouse gas flux monitoring stations. An automated station is being designed on the territory of the field, which will allow data to be transmitted to the university in real time. This makes it possible to objectively assess the balance: how much the enterprise emits into the atmosphere, and what volume is compensated by local ecosystems.

Reducing the Internal Carbon Footprint

Climate projects are not limited to observing nature. The presentation details a comprehensive approach to reducing actual emissions. The enterprise uses an online energy consumption monitoring system that identifies inefficiently operating equipment (for example, pumps consuming excess power). Reducing electricity consumption directly leads to a reduction in indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the company is implementing a program to find and eliminate methane leaks using infrared scanning of units and assemblies, which minimizes direct losses and climate impact.

Integral Biodiversity Map in Design

Out of 293 thousand hectares of the company's license areas, production facilities occupy only 8.5%. To preserve the remaining natural forests and bogs, a large-scale assessment of flora and fauna was conducted. Scientists identified 364 plant species (including 52 previously not found in this territory), as well as dozens of bird and mammal species.

Based on the "hotspots" concept (preserving 10% of the most valuable territories ensures the protection of 80% of biodiversity), an integral map of conservation value was created. The speaker shows by example how this tool is applied in practice: when planning the construction of new well pads or infrastructure, projects are overlaid on the map. This allows bypassing water protection zones and critical animal habitats even at the design stage.

Project Economics: From Reputation to Carbon Units

Although these initiatives are not directly required by legislation, they bring tangible benefits to the business. Firstly, it is reputational capital and building trusting relationships with supervisory authorities and indigenous peoples. Secondly, funding such research organically fits into the framework of the enterprise's obligations to the region for the implementation of social programs.

The strategic goal of cooperation with scientific institutes is the development and approval of an official methodology for calculating the absorption capacity of bogs. In the future, this will allow verifying climate projects and monetizing carbon units, creating a direct economic driver for environmental investments.

What You Will Learn from This Webinar:

• Why are peat bogs more effective than old forests in long-term greenhouse gas absorption?
• How to use the "hotspots" concept to protect biodiversity when designing industrial facilities?
• What technologies are used to monitor energy efficiency and find methane leaks in oil fields?
• How does an integral territory value map help avoid conflicts with ecosystems when expanding infrastructure?
• What are the prospects for approving methodologies and monetizing carbon units based on bog ecosystems?