Siberian university and petrochemical business ink deal over new mortars

Tomsk Polytechnic University and Tomsk-based petrochemical company ONK Factory have formally agreed to set up production of innovation mortars for oil companies.

Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) in Siberia told Marchmont yesterday that it has inked a formal agreement with ONK Factory, a Tomsk-based petrochemical company, on setting up production of innovation mortars to assist oil companies in drilling and stabilizing oil and natural gas wells. NIITEK TPU-Drilling, one of the university?s spin-offs, and TPU?s Flushing and Grouting Drilling Mortars scientific and innovation laboratory represent TPU in the agreement. According to Artem Bubnov, the CEO of NIITEK TPU-Drilling, his company?s brand new mortar compositions are already in demand. ?We have inked a number of sizable contracts with such players in the oil and natural gas field as ZapSibBurNeft, RussNeft-Drilling, Nedra and some other companies in Siberia,? he said, adding that ?cooperation with ONK Factory will pave the way for expanding markets.? The parties have agreed to transfer all R&D part of the work to the scientific and innovation laboratory, which now has about $1.3m worth of necessary equipment. The new TPU-developed mortar compositions will be processed into marketable cements on the premises of ONK Factory, which is said to have a capacity of up to 2,000 tons of end products a month...