In early 2007 EURO-4 gasoline samples production prototypes were successfully preliminary tested. The first certificate for this kind of production was issued on 30/12/2006 – just before the New Year. This became possible to fulfill owing to advance equipment of the central plant laboratory.
In 2006 RussNeft funded the supplies of European standards equipment – X-ray fluorescence gave way to the new generation of devices for sulfur test; it allows determining the rate of sulfur content in petroleum products more accurately. The central plant laboratory was fully equipped to carry out EN-590 tests. The equipment has already been partially put into operation – facilities for determination of lubricating properties, oxidizing capacity of diesel. Next will be the launch of a liquid chromatograph for the determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons rate in diesel. It is an absolutely new trend. Really expensive and valuable acquisition – an American unit for the determination of cetane rating - is being installed at the plant so far.