Gubkin University at the IX International Youth Scientific and Practical Forum "Oil Capital"

From April 8 to 9, 2026, the IX International Youth Scientific and Practical Forum "Oil Capital" was held in Khanty-Mansiysk, bringing together young scientists, engineers, and experts in the fuel and energy sector. The forum included scientific conferences, industry discussions, the "EnerGenius" educational project, and scientific and practical sections with presentations.

The forum's business and educational program addressed current issues in the oil and gas industry: optimization of mature field development, enhanced oil recovery, innovative hydrocarbon production and processing technologies, the development of subsea production systems, as well as environmental safety and sustainable nature management. Particular attention was paid to the training of young specialists and the integration of student research into solving applied industry problems.

Gubkin University Rector Viktor Martynov participated in the forum, speaking online as part of the plenary discussion "Oil of Tomorrow: Challenges and Development Strategies." Participants discussed sustainable development strategies for the fuel and energy sector, the impact of global energy trends, and Russia's role in shaping the energy agenda.

The forum's business program included the 8th International Petroleum Academic Congress named after F.K. Salmanov, attended by Vladimir Verbitsky, Associate Professor of the Department of Oil Field Development and Operation, who presented a report on "The Impact of Saturated Steam Heat Transfer Agent Quality on the Technical and Economic Performance of High-Viscosity Oil Reservoir Development" at the roundtable discussion "Unconventional Hydrocarbon Sources: New Approaches to Production and Processing."

The seventh cycle of the "EnerGenius" educational project featured four production tracks: "Optimizing Brownfield Development," "Improving the Efficiency of a Helium Production Unit," "Innovative Polymer Waste Processing at a Petrochemical Plant," and "Developing an Underwater Field Architecture Using Subsea Hydrocarbon Production Systems." The training was organized by the Russian National Committee of the World Petroleum Council, the Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University, Yugra State University, Gazprom Shelfproekt, and GazSerf.

Students from Gubkin University completed training in "Optimizing Brownfield Development," organized by Yugra State University. The course focused on developing a strategy for managing mature oil and gas assets in the face of declining flow rates, increasing water cut, and declining recoverable reserves. Participants analyzed initial data, studied modern methods of enhanced oil recovery and production intensification, and developed a field development strategy with a phased replacement of equipment.

Maria Zakharova (group RS-23-10), Artyom Mikhalin (group RS-23-10), and Kirill Sofonov group (RS-23-11) participated in the program representing the Faculty of Oil and Gas Field Development.

The program included lectures on "Industry Education" and "The Pulse of Yugra: Priorities of Oil and Gas Leadership," a field trip to the Priobskoye field, and a cultural forum program. Following the defense of the case, the expert committee noted the high level of case study development. The Gubkin University team was awarded a second-place diploma and commemorative prizes.

One of the key scientific events of the forum was the international youth scientific and practical conference under the auspices of the Council of Young Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Representatives of Gubkin University served as experts in the conference sections: Alexander Komkov, Head of the Department of Scientometric Research and Publication Support; Vladimir Verbitsky, Associate Professor of the Department of Oil Field Development and Operation; and Anton Salnikov, Associate Professor of the Department of Construction and Repair of Gas and Oil Pipelines and Storage Facilities.

A foreign delegation of Gubkin University students presented their research to the expert committee, demonstrating a high level of preparation and knowledge of current issues in the oil and gas industry:
– Ditirva Neo Dzhuliet (group RN-22-04) – Topic: "Selection of a Design and Calculation of a Unit for Reducing Linear Pressures in Oil Production Wells," Supervised by Alexander Drozdov, Professor of the Department of Oil Field Development and Operation;
– Adriana Alberto David Vidal (group RN-22-04) – topic: "Water-Gas Influence (WGI) at the Kizomba Field (Angola)", supervisor – Professor of the Department of Oil Field Development and Operation, Doctor of Engineering Alexander Drozdov;
– Ali Yaya Shidi (RNM-24-02 group) – topic: "Improving the Technology of Drilling with a Downhole Motor in Rotational-Sliding Mode"
– Mahamat Moussa Adam (group RN-22-06) – topic: "Comparative Study of Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods by Injecting Polymer and Nitrogen: A Case Study of the Doba Basin (Chad)", supervisor – Nikolai Mikhailov, Professor of the Department of Oil Field Development and Operation, Doctor of Engineering;
– Amgalanbaatar Misheel (group RN-24-14) – topic: "Obtaining Synthetic Fatty Acids from Paraffins of the Tsagaan-Els Field as a Direction for Import Substitution of Petrochemical Feedstock in Mongolia";
– Pavel Kiose (group RN-23-06) – topic: "Optimization of Hydrocarbon Deposits and Diversification of Development By-Products", supervisor – Alexey Dengaev, Associate Professor of the Department of Oil Field Development and Operation, PhD in Engineering;
– Nguyen Pham Xuan Mai (Group NGA-23-01) – Topic: "Environmentally Safe Drilling Fluids: Improving the Efficiency of Sustainable Well Cleanup," Supervised by Vladimir Balaba, Professor of the Department of Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Doctor of Engineering;
– Luis Kaiser José (Group RN-24-04) – Topic: "The Role of Oil Concessions during the NEP Years";
– Mohamed Abdel Wedood Brahim (Group RG-25-06) – Topic: "Development of Gas Fields in Mauritania: Prospects and Challenges."

Following his presentation, Nguyen Pham Xuan Mai received a special diploma in the "Ecology. Green Technologies" section.

The event confirmed the importance of integrating education, science, and industry in training oil and gas specialists and building the industry's human resources.

Representation of members of the Gubkin University Student Scientific Society at external venues is implemented within the framework of the university's Student Scientific Society development program "Strategy for New Discoveries."