OAO Saratovneftegaz, one of the major producing subsidiaries of RussNeft, celebrates its 65th anniversary.

On the eve of the future
The idea of the oil and gas fields prospectivity of the Volga region was initially expressed by I.M. Gubkin, legendary academician, in 1921. He proved presence of huge hydrocarbon reserves in the region calling it “the second Baku” in his monograph. But it was only in late 30th, when the Saratov exploration service commenced a wide-scale exploration in the lower Volga river area.
The very same Elshanka
Today, the name of that little village is known to everyone. In early 40th, an oil exploration brigade headed by F.S. Satarov, manager, and I.I. Engurazov, geologist, worked in the outskirts of Saratov. But the eve of an epochal geological event was frustrated by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Many specialists went to the frontline as early as in the first weeks. However, already in uneasy August of 1941, given the rising demand for fuel and power in the war conditions, the government promptly relocated equipment, machinery and experienced oilmen from Baku, Grozny and Crimea to Saratov. Drilling was commenced full scale. On October 28, this resulted in free-flowing light-blue stream of gas from a 500 m well with a flow rate of 800 thousand cubic meters per day. That was a victory!
In one year precisely, the first gas pipeline connected the field with Saratov power station supplying power to dozens of defense plants of the frontline Saratov. That event is rightfully recognized as the beginning of the commercial utilization of gas in the national power industry. The people were witnessing the birth of a new industry, the GAS industry.
Cubic meters, kilometers…
In spring of 1945, commenced construction of Saratov-Moscow gas pipeline, first in the national history. All-people work, involving 75 thousand people, progressed with an unprecedented rate. 3.5 million cubic meters of soil were manually excavated to make trenches an 850 km of pipes were laid. 45 wells were completed to feed gas to the pipeline. The first cubic meters of gas were supplied to Moscow power plant boilers on June 11, 1946. And soon, gas reached the kitchens of millions of soviet people making a real revolution in their households!
Six more gas fields were opened in the region in 1942-1946. Saratov, in fact, became the centre of the gas industry of the Soviet Union for certain time.
In 1954, the exploration works in Saratov Volga river district resulted in another serious victory. Opening of Stepnovsky gas condensate field was really significant: as soon as in a few years after the commencement of its development, Saratov region produced around 10% of the gas in USSR.
“Perfect strike”!
It became clear soon: Saratov land is reach not only with gas but also with oil. The very first well was Well 10 at Sokolovogorskoye field which drilling started in February 1948. The brigade of V.F. Shiryaev, foreman, used a turbo-drill for the first time, and the drilling was completed two months ahead the schedule. During the first day, the well produced over 250 tons of high quality oil.
Over 50 thousand meters of deep wells had been drilled by 1950 in order to produce Devonian oil. It had extremely high quality and was exported to international markets for many years.
During its work at the fields of the Volga river region, Saratovneftegaz has opened 116 oil and gas fields, produced over 85 million tons of oil and gas condensate and over 100 billion cubic meters of gas, drilled 6.6 million meters of rock.
Tagir Latypov, Director General of OAO Saratovneftegaz:
65 years is a respectful age. Much has been experienced. Today, challenges and problems emerge and are solved, complex questions find answers, and basis is being made for future achievements. These days inspire homage to our veterans who made their best to create “from scratch” one of the major and respectful oil and gas producing companies of the Volga river region. We always remember and appreciate the work of the pioneers, founders of many famous professional dynasties. It can be firmly stated that the succeeding oilmen generations picked up the slack with honour from the experienced hands of their predecessors.
Dear colleagues! On the eve of our professional celebration, I sincerely congratulate you and wish all the best. Let the peace and tranquility reign in your homes, let your dreams come true, let your health never fail! Good luck to you all, prosperity and new successes!