China is interested in developing innovative drilling technologies in collaboration with Russian universities

Chinese companies are interested in developing innovative oil and gas drilling technologies, including offshore drilling, in collaboration with Russian universities. This was stated by Hu Xianwen, head of the Chinese delegation and Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Dongying Branch), at a meeting with the leadership of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) on March 4, 2026.

A meeting with a Chinese delegation consisting of members of the Dongying District People's Government (Shandong Province), the heads of the Dongying Oil Development Promotion Center, and companies operating in the metallurgy and oil and gas production sectors, along with representatives of the Russian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Delovaya Rossiya Interregional Organization, and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, was held at Gubkin University as part of the delegation's working visit to the Oil and Gas 2026 International Exhibition.

The Dongying District is home to significant oil fields, and the oil and gas industry forms the backbone of the region's economy, noted Hu Xianwen.

"Our companies are interested in conducting joint research to create more efficient technologies for drilling and developing oil and gas fields. Gubkin University has significant scientific expertise in this area and enjoys international prestige," Hu Xianwen emphasized. In particular, Gubkin University has established a leading scientific school of petrophysics and well logging.

"Gubkin University recognizes the importance of its mission in strengthening Russian-Chinese ties in higher education and science," emphasized Vice-Rector for International Affairs Alexander Maksimenko.

During the meeting, the delegation discussed the industrial potential of the Dongying region and visited Gubkin University's Field Development Management Center, which uses digital twin technologies to model geophysical objects.

"Educational and scientific cooperation between Russia and China is one of the main tools for developing relations between our countries. The interaction between Chinese representatives and Gubkin University demonstrates enormous potential for the implementation of promising projects of great importance to Russia," noted Pavel Ustyuzhaninov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-Chinese Chamber.

The China University of Petroleum (East China) and Gubkin University initiated the creation of the Academic Union for Green Development of the Association of Technical Universities of Russia and China (ARSTU GREEN – ATURC Green Union). The union includes ten universities each from Russia and China. The goal of the Green Union is to develop science-intensive solutions for low-carbon and sustainable development, as well as environmentally friendly technologies.