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In an interview to the magazine “Oil and Gas Equipment”, president of the Association of Oil and Gas Equipment Manufacturers Alexander Romanikhin answered a number of questions regarding the results of the expiring year. “The year 2007 has been successful for many oil and gas equipment manufacturers. The main trend of the passing year was the consolidation and strengthening of many companies. We believe, the trend is positive. Cases in point are holding companies Gidromashservis, Borets and Uralmash-Burovoye Oborudovanie. Success of some state-run companies should not pass unnoticed. We are especially glad that our base company – FGUP “PO “Uralvagonzavod” – for some years has been displaying sustainable production growth”, Romanikhin said.

The main drawback, Romanikhin says, is that the role of design engineers and process engineers is underestimated in the manufacturing companies. “Today, oil and gas equipment manufacturing can be launched at any site – Russia is rich in production facilities. If you need some process equipment, it is not a problem to buy the required machines. But it is impossible to quickly find designing personnel. Designers are the core, the intellectual leaders of the process of new oil and gas equipment production. Unfortunately, the role of design engineers is underestimated in many manufacturing companies. Personnel is growing old, traditions are being lost, there is no continuity. Many skilled specialists have to quit and look for a better-paid job. The same problem with regard to skilled workmen is understood and is being gradually solved, but things are more difficult with engineering staff”, Romanikhin said.

A positive example is the considerate attitude to design personnel in Sverdlovsk region. “It was largely thanks to the understanding of the designers’ role that Uralmash-Burovoye Oborudovanie managed to launch production of a wide range of new and competitive equipment. This allowed the company to get new large orders from oil and gas producers thus ensuring substantial production growth. Moreover, equipment buyers are not only Russian oil and gas companies but also customers from North America and Middle East. Today, even German companies buy the Ural drilling rigs, despite the fact that Germany produces its own drilling rigs, and its mechanical engineering industry is one of the most advanced worldwide. In the near future, we all will have to change our attitude to skilled designers. It is the only way to build a competitive Russian oil and gas equipment industry”, Romanikhin emphasized.

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