Cooperating Country Report of RUSSIAN FEDERATION · 2019-10-28 · CCOP-55AS/4-23 . 55th CCOP...

CCOP-55AS/4-23

55th CCOP Annual Session 3 – 7 November 2019 Chiang Mai, Thailand

Cooperating Country Report of

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Submitted by

Anfisa Pilitsyna (Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

(For Agenda Item 4)

COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR GEOSCIENCE PROGRAMMES IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (CCOP)

CCOP Cooperating Country Report: RUSSIAN FEDERATION 1

ANNUAL COOPERATING COUNTRY REPORT

Country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION Period: 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019

1. Summary During the last decade the interest to collaboration and exchange of knowledge with experience between Russian Federation and Asian Countries within the scope of Geosciences has been considerably increased. This is particularly noticeable with respect to the Scientific and Academic programs in the area of fundamental research, mineral resources, ecology and seismology as well as oil/gas energy sector. The observed activities are mostly related to more flexible positions of the CCOP Region Countries and Russian Federation for regional cooperation and organization of the mutually beneficial projects, which have been evolved in response to the general worldwide trend to communication and networking. Currently the most prominent projects are carried out in cooperation with the People's Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan), Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia. Major part of the current projects of Russian Federation cooperated with the CCOP Region Countries in geosciences demonstrate clear tendencies for the potential future continuation and expansion in terms of experience, project scopes, cooperative developments and mutually-beneficial financial investments. Plenty of the scientific projects are regular and display increase of the interest to the bilateral or multilateral projects between the countries. Economical and engineering geology proposals are similarly characterized by extensive perspectives, particularly within the Energy and Technologies sectors. Nowadays the Scientific sectors, Energy, oil & gas areas as well as Mineral resources and Geoecology sectors of Russian Federation display constant improvement in terms of the financial support, education and attraction of the international collaboration projects. From here, the proposed positive perspectives of the mutual activities of Russia with the CCOP Region Countries, encouraged by government and private business companies, could be strongly expected.

2. Review of current technical activities and geoscience programmes in the CCOP Region (Multilateral or Bilateral)

2.1. Сurrent technical activities and geoscience programs with People's Republic of China 2.1.1. Fundamental geosciences programs.

a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and The China National Natural Science Foundation (CNNSF). Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Late Paleogene and Neogene coniferous woods of the Central and Southern China: taxonomy, palaeoecology and evolution”. Project leader is Oskolsky A.A. (Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences). The main purposes of the project include complex studies of the Late Oligocene and Miocene coniferous woods from the Ledon paleoflora from the strata of the Oligocene-Miocene

COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR GEOSCIENCE PROGRAMMES IN EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (CCOP) CCOP Building, 75/10 Rama VI Road, Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2644 5468, Fax: +66 (0) 2644 5429, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.ccop.or.th

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2 CCOP Cooperating Country Report: RUSSIAN FEDERATION

boundary of the Hainan island, as well as Neogene flora from the Wuhan, Hubei Province. The studies are of great interest for reconstruction of the history of tropical and subtropical forests of the East Asia and distribution with diversification paths of the key coniferous species. The obtained results are expected to have been analyzed in terms of the phylogeny and historical biogeography of the suitable taxons along with palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology. The new data are perspective for recovering of the early stages of flora evolution and modern vegetation of the Sothern China and South-Eastern Asia. b) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “An effect of evapotranspiration on the processes of overlap between surface water and groundwater: a comparison of the humid and arid environments”. Project leader is Pozdnyakov S.P. (Lomonosov Moscow State University). The main aim of the project is development and verification of the water exchange models in the system of “atmosphere – plants – soils – groundwater” taking into consideration the evapotranspiration processes on the basis of experimental studying along with monitoring. For the studies two objects have been selected, namely Zvenigorod hydrogeological polygon (Moscow region, Russia) as an example of the humid climate; and the shore polygon within the mouth of the river Heihe (Inner Mongolia, China) as an example of the hyperarid climate. c) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Permian climate events and benthic biota in China and Russia”. Project leader is Kossovaya O.L. (Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute (VSEGEI)). The key task of the project is an identification of synchrony (or asynchrony) of the global climate events occurrences and changes of the structures of benthic species in the periods of the end of Sakmarian – beginning of Kungurian ages of the Early Permian and Capitanian – Changhsingian ages of the Late Permian. For the analysis of the events succession in the Early Permian the most complete carbonate sequences from the Urals (Perm region) have been selected. The events of the Middle-Late Permian ages are thought to have been studied in the Southern Primorye. The key material for comparison will be obtained from the coeval strata of the sequences from Inner Mongolia (Northern China), including the Jesu Khongor area. Additional isotopic and geochemical studies are also planned. d) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Oxygen isotope compositions in zircons from eclogites of the Belomorian Belt as indicators of their origin”. Project leader is Skublov S.G. (Institute of Precambrian geology and geochronology, Russian Academy of Sciences). The project is dedicated to the local study of oxygen isotope compositions in zircons from one of the most ancient eclogites in the world of the Fenno-Scandinavian Shield. This investigation in conjunction with the study of HFSE, including REE, distribution in the zircons along with the identification of mineral inclusions, could shed light on genesis of Precambrian eclogites and geodynamics of the early Earth. e) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Comparison of the air and water convective flows and their effect on the state of the cryogenic rocks of the Aldan uplands (Siberia) and Tibetan Plateau”. Project leader is Zheleznyak M.N. (Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Plenty of works are dedicated to the study of the key factors, which have a bearing upon the cryogenic rocks formation; at the same time a robust information on effects of infiltration and convection of the air in the rocks is still lacking. This complicates an estimation of the engineering-geological settings and their prognostics. From here, the main purpose of the project is an estimation of the effects of infiltration of the summer atmospheric precipitations and aqueous vapor condensation on the temperature regime of the subgrades from the mountains of the Central Asia region. This will significantly improve an understanding of the


main features of the permafrost conditions formation and refine on the current prognostic analysis models. f) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Co-processing of the lidar and radar signals when studying the microphysical characteristics of the scarf clouds”. Project leader is Borovoy A.G. (Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science). The scarf clouds are one of the key sources of uncertainties in the modern numerical models of the Earth radiological budget and, as a consequence, of the climate. However, nowadays their radiological and microphysical characteristics are poorly investigated. Remote sensing methods of study of these characteristics with using of the lidars and meteorological radars are thought to help to obtain the lacking information. Russian and Chinese participants of the project possess long-term experience of using of the multiwave polarizing lidars as well as meteorological radars to study the scarf clouds. g) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Late Holocene palaeoclimatic reconstructions, resulted from the varved clays of the periglacial lakes within the Russian and Chinese Altai regions”. Project leader is Dar’yin A.V. (Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science). The project aims to receive the new information on the long-term climatic variations, trend and periodicity of the different time gaps (from several years to several thousand years). To solve this problem, it is planned to create the quantitative palaeoclimatic reconstructions of the Altai region for the period of the last thousand years with one-year time resolving. The objects of the current study, represented by four varved clays of the periglacial high altitude lakes of the Russian and Chinese Altai, will be studied with using of the modern methods of analytical microstratigraphy. h) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Conditions of formation, modern state of the Pleistocene cryogenic rocks of the East Asia and the prognostics of their development in response to the current climate changes”. Project leader is Spektor V.V. (Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Formation and evolution of the cryogenic rocks and permafrost zone of the Eastern Asia will be considered through the example of the large fragment of their belt, located in the Lena-Amginian valley. Here the major part of the cryogenic rocks sequence is poorly investigated in terms of the ages. Hence, complex study, including geochronological investigations, of the cryogenic core borings from the deep bore holes of 100 m and assessment of their actual thermodynamic state, genesis and stratigraphy position with prognostics of their state for the following ten years under the conditions of the modern climate optimum, are purposed. i) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Age and sources of the Late Precambrian and Early Paleozoic magmatic complexes in the Bureya and Jiamusi massifs of the Central Asian Orogenic belt: implications for tectonic evolution”. Project leader is Sorokin A.A. (Institute of Geology and management of natural resources, Far-Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). As a result of the project, geochronological data for the key Late Precambrian and Early Palaeozoic igneous complexes of the Bureya and Jiamusi continental massifs have been first provided. Besides the main age populations of detrital zircons from the indicated massifs have been obtained. A comparison of the total geochronological studies results for the Neoproterozoic and Early Palaeozoic igneous and sedimentary complexes of the Bureya and Jiamusi massifs indicate that these massifs could share the single history during that period. These data could shed light on tectonic evolution of the eastern part of the Central-Asian Orogenic Belt. h) Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, megagrant “A multidisciplinary study of Pacific-type orogenic belts and development of a holistic model


linking evolution of oceans, their active margins and mantle magmatism”. Project leader is Safonova I.Yu. (Novosibirsk State University; Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SB RAS (IGM SB RAS)). Project goal is organization of new science-educational lab for studying Pacific-type orogenic belts of Central and East Asia and developing a holistic model of evolution of paleo-oceans, their active margins and intra-plate plume magmatism. Pacific-type orogens (fold belts) hosting accretionary complexes are places keeping records of the evolution of paleo-oceans, and formation and transformation of continental crust at their active convergent margins. Pacific-type orogeny induces destruction of crustal materials, their subduction to the deep mantle, generation of hydrouscarbonated plumes in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) and its related intra-plate magmatism. An important issue for reconstructing the history of paleo-oceans is to estimate major parameters of the Pacific-type convergent margins: accreting vs. Eroding, geometrical length, and life time.

2.1.2. Geophysics and seismic studies. Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “The study of a model of the linear slipping for the seismic exploration works: experiment and theory”. Project leader is Polovkov V.V. (St. Petersburg State University). The project aims to solve both applied and fundamental problems of the seismic exploration of hydrocarbons and suggests the investigation of effective models of the fractured structures (e.g. oil & gas collectors). This will have a potential to obtain new information on the structure of the Earth’s crust and enhance an effectivity of the prospecting borehole drilling. The main purpose of the project includes a development of the robust effective anisotropic models, which are needed to receive the reliable data on the key properties of the rocks such as fractures density or character of the fluid-filling material in the fractures (oil, water or gas). Within the scope of the project a development of the complex method based on the new models is planned. This is expected to help with the prospecting of the oil & gas collectors using the amplitude and velocity properties of the reflected waves (including absorption).

2.1.3. Ore deposits and mineral resources. Project of Kosygin Institute of tectonics and geophysics, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with Shenyang Institute of geology and ore deposits, Ministry of Land and Mineral Resources of the People's Republic of China: “Geology, tectonics, deep structure and minerageny of the cross-border region of Russia and China”. The project leader is Didenko A.N. (Kosygin Institute of tectonics and geophysics, Far Eastern Branch, RAS). Within the scope of the project, related to a complex study of tectonic evolution of Eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and adjacent fragments of the Siberian and North China cratons along with an identification of the main features of metallogenic specialization resulted from the new data on geodynamics and deep structure of Earth, academic and technical collaboration between Russian and China has been carried out.

2.1.4. Energy sector: oil, gas and associated technologies. a) PAO NOVATEK has shipped its first cargos of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Yamal LNG project to China via the Northern Sea Route (press-release from 19th July 2018, Rudong). Today, in the presence of Alexander Novak, the Minister of Energy of Russia and Nur Bekri, the Director of the National Energy Administration of China, an official ceremony was held to commemorate the arrival of Arc7 LNG tankers “Vladimir Rusanov” and “Eduard Toll” to the Chinese port of Jiangsu Rudong. The net voyage time from the port of Sabetta through the Northern Sea Route to the destination port was completed in 19 days as compared to 35 days for the traditional eastern route via the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca.


NOVATEK commenced shipping via the Northern Sea Route from 2010 by successfully shipping liquid hydrocarbons by high-tonnage tankers to the Asian-Pacific countries. Now, the Company became a pioneer in shipments of Russian LNG along this important navigational route creating a purposefully built, unique LNG-carrier able to transport the LNG from the Russian Arctic region without the escort of an ice-breaker. Yamal LNG will utilize a fleet of 15 Arc7 ice-class LNG carriers with cargo capacity over 170 thousand cubic meters each to transport LNG to key consuming regions. b) TATNEFT is upgrading its oil treatment plants using HollySys equipment (press-release from 16th January 2019, Kazan). TATNEFT has entered into a tripartite cooperation agreement in the area of crude oil treatment process flow automation (UPVSN) units. CJSC Sterh-Intelservis and the Chinese HollySys Company have been the TATNEFT Company’s partners in the deal. The cooperation of TATNEFT and HollySys has been developing with the participation of CJSC Sterkh-Intelservis, which has been TATNEFT's partner in production process management for almost 20 years. Within the framework of the project, a joint visit to HollySys production sites in China has been organized and the companies successfully completed the implementation and joint pilot tests of the HOLLiAS software and hardware complex at the Kichui installation of NGDU Elkhovneft. HollySys Company (with international headquarters in Singapore) is known as a dominant provider of automation and information technology solutions in China and Southeast Asia. The Company's products are widely used in industrial plants, high-speed rail transport, nuclear and large power generating systems. c) Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) discuss pipeline gas supplies to China (press-release from 25th April, 2019, Beijing, China). A working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Wang Yilin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CNPC, took place in Beijing, China. The meeting participants reviewed the development prospects of the Chinese gas market and the strategic aspects of cooperation between Gazprom and CNPC, paying particular attention to gas supplies. It was noted that the preparation of facilities for Russian gas exports to China via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline from December 1, 2019, is going according to schedule. It is planned to start injecting natural gas into the pipeline in the third quarter of this year. The parties discussed issues related to the planned deliveries of Russian gas to China from the Far East and via the western route. In addition, the meeting touched upon the collaboration between the companies in the areas of gas-fired power generation, use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel, underground gas storage, and science and culture. d) The first Russian-Chinese energy business forum is successfully finished in Beijing (press-release from 29th November 2018). The format of the event was established in July 2018, upon instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The business agenda of the Forum featured panel discussions on key matters of the Russian-Chinese energy cooperation. The parties discussed measures on expanding of the joint project portfolio, attracting of investments, and developing of digital technology in the fuel and energy industry. Over 50 bilateral meetings were held and over 20 agreements between energy majors of the two countries were signed at the Forum. The Forum attendees also discussed the possibilities of expanding of the bilateral energy cooperation of Russia and China in various business areas. The event was concluded with a joint statement presenting the key goals of the Forum, including the following: to create a favorable investment climate; to exchange suggestions on most prospective projects; to attract investments to joint projects; to develop the conditions required for implementation of the scientific engineering potential; to prepare suggestions on improvement of the industry policy and bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the industry, et cetera. The Forum participants noted the significance of joint energy projects for the social economic development of Russia


and China. Representatives of key business entities urged financial institutions of the two countries to provide strong support to joint projects, to find new means of financing in order to create the sustainable economic relations and improve the investment climate. In the frame of the Forum Rosneft and Chinese Hengli Group signed a Cooperation Agreement. Rosneft Oil Company and Chinese Hengli Group signed a cooperation agreement as part of the first Russian-Chinese energy business forum. The document was signed by Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft Oil Company, and Chen Jianhua, President of Hengli Group. The agreement provides for potential cooperation of the parties on promising projects in oil and gas field exploration and production, oil refining and petrochemical projects in the Russian Federation and in China, as well as trading oil and petrochemical products. In order to coordinate interaction, Rosneft and Hengli Group will establish a task force for analyzing potential joint projects and evaluating their commercial efficiency. e) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and The China National Natural Science Foundation (CNNSF). Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Methodology of prognosis of non-traditional carbohydrates such as shale oil, super-viscous oil and native bitumen (on the example of the platform areas of the Urals and Volga region in Russia and the East-China rift basin in China). Project leader is Uspensky B.V. (Kazan Federal University). Potential of the non-traditional sources of the oil is an important issue in terms of oil industry and global energetics. According to the current estimates, the resources of oil sands, ultra-heavy oils and oil-bearing shales five-times exceed the reserves of the traditional oil deposits. In this reason development of methodology of prognosis, prospecting and exploration of non-traditional carbohydrates sources represents a crucial modern scientific problem. The current project is dedicated to development of the criteria of potential oil-and-gas capacity perspectives of shales from the Domanic strata and petroleum bitumen contents from the platform Permian succession. Within the framework of the project a number of experiments with using of the actual analytical methods has been planned.

2.1.5. Geoecology and geohazards. a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and the association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Project of the RFBR – BRICS “Ecological geochemistry and decontaminating on the examples of the hydrologic systems of China, India and Russia”. Project leader is Savichev O.G. (Tomsk Polytechnic University) The main purpose of the project, which has been realized by the Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia), East China University of Technology (China) and National Institute of Technology (Durgapur, India), includes a development of the methodology of control of geochemical balances of the natural-anthropogenic hydrologic ecosystems of Asia at the different natural and anthropogenic conditions based on the conception of transformation of the anthropogenic objects into natural-anthropogenic objects and vice versa. b) Project of the RFBR – BRICS “Investigation of the link between characteristics with structure of the thunderclouds and different characteristics of the environments of various districts of the Earth”. Project leader is Sinkevich A.A. (The Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences). It is well-known that the climate changes lead to increase of frequency and intensity of the hazardous weather. Major part of these events are related to cumulus-nimbus clouds. These are also responsible for thunders, which damage the farm business, telecommunication and energy systems and induce the wildfires, disasters, etc. In the frames of the project, investigations of the physical properties of the cumulus-nimbus clouds, transformed to the thunder stage, and influence of the aerosols on the cumulus-nimbus clouds formation, were carried out. The clouds from the different physiographic regions of the Earth (Saudi Arabia, China, India, Northern Caucasus, NW part of Russia) are planned to have been studied.


c) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and The China National Natural Science Foundation (CNNSF). Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Monitoring and investigation of gas and aerosol pollution of the atmosphere and greenhouse gases in Moscow and Beijing based on the satellite and surface high-resolution techniques”. The project leader is Golitsyn G.S. (Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences). Moscow and Beijing, large cities of the planet, are the sources of many contaminating atmosphere impurities and greenhouse gases, which strongly affect the radiation budget of atmosphere, ecological state of environment, public health in the megalopolises. Joint Russia-China investigations of atmosphere pollution in Moscow and Beijing have been conducted for 20 years. During this period a large amount of data has been accumulated, and the primary analysis of the results has been deduced. Within the scope of the project systematical measurements of concentration and contents of the contaminating atmosphere impurities in Moscow, Beijing and Shanhe will be continued.

2.2. Сurrent technical activities and geoscience programs with Japan 2.2.1. Fundamental geosciences programs.

a) Project of Kosygin Institute of tectonics and geophysics, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with University of Toyama (Japan): “Geochronological studies of the Sikhote Alin area in the Far Eastern part of Russia”. The project leader is Didenko A.N. (Kosygin Institute of tectonics and geophysics, Far Eastern Branch, RAS). Within the scope of the project mutual expedition investigations of the main tectonic units of the Sikhote Alin area and U-Pb zircon dating studies are carried out. b) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Japan society for promotion of science (JSPS). Project of the RFBR – JSPS “Circulation of the deep fluid and the country rocks within the active tectonic zones of the Eastern margin of Eurasia”. The project leader is Kharitonova N.A. (Far East Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences). Within the subduction zones deeply-derived fluids are responsible for the diverse processes, such as earthquakes at the tectonic plate boundaries, decrease of the temperature of solidus for igneous complexes, weakening of the faults, etc. At the same time mechanisms of transportation of the deep fluid and its chemical properties are different for the areas of active volcanism and absence of volcanism. An identification of the origin and mechanisms of formation of chemical compositions of the mineralized waters in the active tectonic zones as well as an assessment of the influence of geodynamic setting on the conditions of their circulation and extent of interaction of the waters with the country rocks are of great interest. Within the scope of the project correlations between isotopic and geochemical parameters of mineral waters within the Sikhote Alin area, Sakhalin and Japan will be ascertained; the general scheme of the deep fluid formation within the subduction zone of the Eastern margin of Eurasia will be constructed. c) Project of the RFBR – JSPS “Laboratory modeling of the complex phenomena within the atmospheric boundary layer, responsible for the turbulent exchange processes in the stormy conditions”. The project leader is Troitskaya Yu.I. (Institute of applied physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The project aims to investigate the complex phenomena within the atmospheric boundary layer with using of the laboratory and numerical modeling. As a result, qualitative mechanisms, responsible for the heat-mass-transfer and impulse exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, will be determined; numerical models of the ocean-atmosphere transfers including experimental data, will be developed; quantitative estimates and parameterization of the identified mechanisms contribution into the heat-mass-transfer and impulse exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, will be obtained.


d) Project of the Laboratory of theoretical and experimental study of high-pressure mineral formation (Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and Geodynamics Research Center (Ehime University) “FIB/TEM analysis of carbon polymorph in UHP rocks from the Kokchetav massif and mantle xenoliths”. Project leader is Mikhailenko D.S. (Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The focused ion beam technique (FIB) is an ideal tool for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation, which allows studying the relationship between minerals on a submicron scale.

2.2.2. Geophysics and seismic studies. Project of the Community of the Universities of Japan and the Institutes of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences “Geodynamics of the Far East”. Project leader is Bykov V.G. (Kosygin Institute of tectonics and geophysics, Far Eastern Branch, RAS). The main purpose of the project includes development and application of the modern methods of study of the Earth crust blocks motions, deep crustal and upper mantle structures based on the monitoring of deformations and seismic activity within the conjunction of the North American, Pacific, Amur and Okhotsk lithospheric plates.

2.2.3. Energy sector: oil, gas and associated technologies. Yamal LNG shipped first LNG cargo to Japan (press-release from 26th of June, 2019). PAO NOVATEK (“NOVATEK” and/or the “Company”) announced today that Yamal LNG shipped the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) to Japan in accordance with the long-term offtake agreement with TOTAL. The cargo was unloaded at the Tobata LNG Terminal in accordance with the buyers lifting and delivery schedule. “Commencing LNG shipments to the Japanese market represents an important milestone for the Company as Japan is an important LNG market and one of the priority destinations in our LNG marketing strategy,” noted Leonid Mikhelson, NOVATEK’s Chairman of the Management Board. “Further development of our logistical chain using the Northern Sea Route and a transshipment terminal in Kamchatka will expand LNG supplies to Japan as well as strengthen trade and economic links between our respective countries”.

2.2.4. Geoecology and geohazards. a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Japan society for promotion of science (JSPS). Project of the RFBR – JSPS “Investigation of the biogenic chemical elements, produced by phytoplankton of the Baikal Lake during the subglacial flowering”. Project leader is Obolkin V.A. (Limnological Institute of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Biogenic chemical elements play an important role in populations of the aquatic organisms and their adaptation to the environment. Various methyl-sulphur compounds may represent the antioxidant and cryoprotectant components. An information on the biogenic methyl-sulphur compounds in the freshwater ecosystems is still lacking. Within the scope of the project an investigation of the origin and role of these compounds in the freshwater ecosystems on the example of the Baikal lake, will be provided. Additional outcome from this study is an assessment of the anthropogenic sources of the methyl-sulphur compounds in the freshwater pools, which may influence the animals’ migrations. b) Project of the RFBR – JSPS “Estimate and prognosis of the sediment yields and radioactive isotopes in the river basins, damaged by the nuclear-power accident”. Project leader is Golosov V.N. (Lomonosov Moscow State University). Pollutions of the wide territories of Russia and Japan, induced by the nuclear-power accidents in Chernobyl AES (26/04/1986) and Fukusima AES (11/03/2011) are the most catastrophic on the scales of the damaged areas during the human history. Within the scope of the project


an estimation of transformation of the initial polluted area due to the surface water supply and erosion-accumulative processes, responsible for the lateral transfer of radiogenic isotopes in the river basins of the Upa (Tula region, Russia) and Abakuma (Fukusima region, Japan), are proposed.

2.3. Сurrent technical activities and geoscience programs with Mongolia 2.3.1. Fundamental geosciences programs.

a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Ministry of Culture, Education, Science and Sport of Mongolia (MCESSM). Project of the RFBR – MCESSM “Early Mesozoic volcanism in the Central and Eastern Mongolia: magmatic associations, structural position and geodynamic settings of formation”. Project leader is Yarmolyuk V.V. (Institute of mineralogy, geochemistry and petrography of the Russian Academy of Sciences). During the Early Mesozoic within the areas of Mongolia and Transbaikalia the zoned magmatic areal was formed in the western part of the Mongol-Okhotsk basin. The basin is thought to have been emerged as a result of the predominant collisional processes. At the same time, in the structure of the peripheral parts of the areal, namely Western Transbaikalia, rift-derived complexes, represented by bimodal volcanogenic formations along with alkaline granitoids, are widespread. The latter are considered to have been related to the mantle plume activity. From here, within the frames of the project detailed studies of the indicated complexes are proposed. b) Project of the RFBR –MCESSM “Role of the oceanic lithosphere material and carbonatized mantle in the origin of the alkaline basaltic magmas of the Late Cenozoic volcanic areal in the North Mongolia”. Project leader is Kuz’min M.I. (Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The project aims to solve the fundamental scientific task, namely to determine the sources and conditions of formation for the alkaline-basaltic magmas within the intracontinental settings of tectonic activation on the example of the Late Cenozoic volcanism of Northern Mongolia. Within the scope of the project a conduction of geological, geochronological (40Ar/39Ar), isotopic (87-86Sr, 143-144Nd, 147Sm/143Nd, 204-208Pb, 18O), geochemical and mineralogical investigations of the Late Cenozoic volcanic complexes of North Mongolia are planned. To solve the indicated tasks, a close scientific collaboration between Russia and Mongolia is suggested. Furthermore, researchers from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Mongolian University of the Science and Technology are also involved into the project.

2.3.2. Geoecology and geohazards. a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Eurasian Association of Promotion of the Scientific Research (EAPSR). Project of the RFBR – EAPSR “Distant satellite and surface monitoring of the Earth near the surface and at the trans-border transfer of the atmosphere impurities within Eurasia continent: formation of the scientific and technological, methodological and informational basements for the regular observations”. Project leader is Balin Yu.S. (Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science). The project aims to solve the key issue of the fundamental geoecology, namely an investigation of the changes of ecological criteria of the atmosphere and natural objects, affected by the action of the natural (wilderness fires, desert storms, etc.) and anthropogenic factors, including the trans-border transfer of the atmosphere impurities. The project leaders involve researchers from Russia, Belarus, Mongolia, Vietnam. b) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Ministry of Culture, Education, Science and Sport of Mongolia (MCESSM). Project of the RFBR – MCESSM “Development of the scientific basements of modification of the humic specimen to enhance their biological activities and application in preventing of the desert advancing”. Project leader is Zherebtsov


S.I. (Institute of Coal Chemistry and Material Science, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Within the frames of the project an actual problem of preventing of the soil erosion and desert advancing is supposed to have been considered. The main purpose of the project includes a complex study of the element and structural compositions of the humic specimen in relation to the soils and plants, as well as their modification to enhance the biological activities and application in preventing of the soil erosion and desert advancing. The obtained specimen will be tested in the laboratories and field experiments in Russia and Mongolia. c) Project of the RFBR – MCESSM “Investigation of the loessial-soil formations to reconstruct the landscape and climate settings in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene and predict their following development within the East-European platform and Central Mongolia”. Project leader is Timireva S.N. (Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences). Based on the detailed studies of the loessial-soil formations of the Central and Southern parts of the East-European platform and Central Mongolia, including a complex of analytical data, reconstruction of the ecosystems development for the period of the last interglacial-glacial macrocycle (Late Pleistocene and Holocene) and correlation between the observed regions, are thought to have been conducted. A comparison of the structures and compositions of the loessial formations and palaeosoils for these large areas of Eurasia could shed light on the global and regional features of the landscape-climatological changes during the indicated period and define the general trend of the ecosystems development in the conditions of the warming in XXI century. d) Project of the RFBR – MCESSM “Comparative assessment of the dynamics and character of the desert advancing at the boundary of Russia and Mongolia”. Project leader is Batomunkuev V.S. (Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). An intensification of the desert advancing processes in Mongolia affect the changes in social and economic living environment of the traditional nomadic population. An intense development of the mineral resources, energetic sector and transport infrastructure along with the general enhanced influence on the economic use of the grazing lands, mostly exacerbate the situation. During the project realization an assessment of the contribution of natural and anthropogenic factors into the desert advancing at the boundary of Russia and Mongolia and ecological with economic consequences of the desert advancing, are planned. Moreover, the character and extent of the desert advancing processes development will be estimated; the robust strategy of the adaptive management of natural resources in the conditions of the climate change will be suggested.

2.4. Сurrent technical activities and geoscience programs with Socialist Republic of Vietnam

2.4.1. Ore deposits and mineral resources. a) Project of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Program of the Presidium of the RAS) with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technologies “Metallogeny of zinc and lead within the Lo Gam zone (North-Eastern Vietnam): genesis, geodynamic control of the ore-forming processes and their potential”. Project leader is Nevol’ko P.A. (Shiloh North-Eastern Complex Scientific Institute, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Basing on the lead isotope compositions and other comprehensive geological information, a model of formation of the polymetallic deposits within the Lo Gam zone, attributed to the Palaeozoic-to-Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the region, is expected to have been proposed. A comparison of the model with those, obtained for the similar deposits worldwide, will be


conducted. The results of the study are applicable in terms of the prognosis and prospecting of the Pb-Zn deposits within the Indian-Sinian block.

2.4.2. Energy sector: oil, gas and associated technologies. a) Vietnam's Ca Tam oil field starts production (press-release from 28th of January, 2019). Vietsovpetro, a Vietnam-Russia oil joint venture, has started crude oil production at the Ca Tam field offshore southern Vietnam, Vietnamese state oil firm PetroVietnam said on Monday. Initial production from Ca Tam, jointly developed by Vietsovpetro, PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corp (PVEP) and Bitexco Group, is 1,630 tonnes per day, PetroVietnam said in a statement. The field in block 09-3/12, 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Vietnam, is hooked up to the facilities in the nearby block 09-1, which houses the country’s largest oil field Bach Ho, PetroVietnam said. Ca Tam is the first new field to be brought into production in Vietnam in years after a 2014 plunge in oil prices slashed exploration. The start-up is significant as declining production from the country’s key fields has left it struggling to maintain oil and gas output, report Reuters. PetroVietnam, formally known as Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, said earlier this month that tension in the South China Sea will continue to weigh on its offshore operations this year, adding that Ca Tam is one of the two offshore fields it expected to start commercial production this year. PetroVietnam owns 51 percent in Vietsovpetro, while Russia’s Zarubezhneft owns the rest. b) Around 21 per cent of Vietnamese gas produced within Bien Dong joint project of Russia and Vietnam (press-release from 7th of September, 2018). A working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, took place in Moscow. The parties addressed a wide array of bilateral cooperation issues. Appreciation was expressed for Bien Dong, a large gas production project in Vietnam pursuing joint development of the Moc Tinh and Hai Thach fields in blocks Nos. 05–2 and 05–3. In 2017, Bien Dong accounted for 20.8 per cent (2 billion cubic meters) of Vietnam’s overall gas production, with over 9 billion cubic meters of gas and 2 million tons of gas condensate extracted since the project’s inception. Alexey Miller and Nguyen Phu Trong considered issues related to cooperation deepening in the area of field exploration and development in Vietnam. Special attention was paid to prospective collaboration in gas-fired power generation, gas use as a vehicle fuel, LNG supply, personnel training and sci-tech cooperation projects. During the official visit of Nguyen Phu Trong to the Russian Federation, a decision was made to approve a feasibility study for a pilot project aimed at constructing a Vietnam-based small-scale plant for the production of LNG to be used as a vehicle fuel. The project operator is the PVGAZPROM Natural Gas for Vehicles joint venture involving Gazprom EP International B.V., Gazprom Gazomotornoye Toplivo and PETROVIETNAM GAS. The signed document paves the way for the practical implementation of the project. 2.5. Сurrent technical activities and geoscience programs with Republic of China (Taiwan)

2.5.1. Fundamental geosciences programs. a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MoST). Project of the RFBR – MoST “Crust-mantle evolution of the Chara-Olekma geoblock of the Aldan Shield in early Precambrian: geological, geochronological and Nd-Hf-Os isotopic investigation of the Olondo greenstone belt”. Project leader is Kovach V.P. (Institute of Precambrian Geology and Geochronology, RAS). Joint field investigations were carried out; observations were made on the relationships of various types of rocks of the eastern (Tokko) branch of the Olondo greenstone belt, intrusive granitoids and host tonalite-trondhjemite gneisses of the Olekma complex. A representative


collection of rock samples for geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic studies was selected. The widespread development of schistose trondhjemites, confined to the schear zones among basaltic metakomatiites and tholeiitic metabasalts and deformed together with them has been established. Geochemical and Nd isotopic studies of metavolcanic rocks of the basic, intermediate, and silicic composition of the eastern branch of the Olondo greenstone belt and intrusive granitoids were carried out. The groups of basaltic metacomatiites and tholeitic metabasalts, distinguished by their geochemical features, were identified. In general, the obtained geological, geochronological, geochemical, and Nd isotopic data suggest a manifestation of the processes of plate and plume tectonics during the Mesoarchean (ca. 3.0-3.1 Ga) stage of geological development of the Chara-Olekma geoblock of the Aldan shield. b) Project with the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MoST) “Origin and metamorphic evolution of high-grade rocks from the eastern Baikal-Muya Foldbelt, northeastern CAOB (Eastern Siberia)”. Project leader is Skuzovatov S.Yu. (Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The study of the eclogites of the North Muya complex (Eastern Siberia), located within the Early Neoproterozoic metasedimentary and felsic rocks of the Baikal-Muya Fold Belt (BMFB), showed that the eclogites display subduction-related affinity, with large-ion lithophile (LILE) and light rare-earth element (LREE) enrichment and high fieldstrength element (HFSE) depletion signatures, similar to the exposed plutonic and volcanic rocks of the Early Neoproterozoic (Early Baikalian) subduction setting in the BMFB. Coupled Nd (εNd(T) of +6 to −1.4) and Sr (87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.705–0.708), along with key trace-element indicators, imply progressive crustal recycling (up to 5–10%) from the Early Precambrian continental rocks to a depleted mantle source or equivalent crustal contribution via intracrustal contamination. Mineral δ18O data (+3.9 − +11.5) indicate that the contaminant or recycled crustal substrate might be represented by rocks altered at both low and high-temperature, or result from variable fluid-rock interaction in the subduction channel. Pseudosection modelling of eclogites, coupled with zircon U-Pb geochronology (~630 Ma) suggest that the Ediacarian high-pressure metamorphic event for different rocks shared a maximum depth corresponding to 2.5–2.7 GPa with variable temperature range (560–760 °C), reflecting their potential relation to distinct slices of the subducted crust. High-grade metasedimentary rocks of the South Muya block (Baikal-Muya Foldbelt) have been studied with respect to whole-rock elemental and Nd isotopic compositions, as well as the U-Pb and Lu-Hf systematics of detrital zircon and in-situ grown metamorphic grains in order to reveal the initial source provenance for sedimentation and the age of major metamorphic modification. Based predominantly on trace-elemental compositions, the sedimentary protolith is most likely a poorly sorted and immature greywacke, such as those formed in island arc or active continental margin settings. The island arc-related chemical signature coupled with zircon U-Pb age data supports a Neoproterozoic (> 760 Ma) sedimentation age, whereas Nd-Hf isotope data of precursor sediments are linked to a relatively immature Tonian (∼940–780 Ma) continental arc involving Paleoproterozoic crustal basement. The limited provenance information and metamorphic history of the Muya block suggests it was exotic to Siberia and originally related to another continent, e.g. – subduction-accretion complexes of South China. The polyphase metasediments experienced high-grade metamorphism in the Tonian during the 764–754 Ma arc accretion to an enigmatic continental block and then in the Ediacaran during the 622–608 Ma accretion of the Baikal-Muya belt to the arc situated at the southern Siberia margin. Metamorphic overprinting during the introduction of supracrustal rocks to deeper-crustal levels led to protracted recrystallization of primary igneous zircon population and growth of new granulite-facies grains that did not involve notable juvenile input. Tonian sedimentary provenance and two metamorphic events suggest a protracted


evolution for the Baikal-Muya belt associated with the formation of precursor complexes beyond the southern margin of Siberia and their later accretion to Late Cryogenian – Ediacarian arc complexes of the southern Siberian, which proceeded only after the opening of the Paleoasian Ocean (670–630 Ma). The studies of the North Muya complex formation will be continued in the framework of the project.

3. Proposed future activities and assistance to CCOP in support to current and future activities

3.1. Proposed future activities with People's Republic of China 3.1.1. Fundamental geosciences programs.

a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and The China National Natural Science Foundation (CNNSF). Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Geochemical types of granitoids as indicators of the different tectonic settings at the active margins (on the examples from the Jiamusi-Hankai and Sikhote-Alin areas)”. Project leader is Grebennikov A.V. (Far East Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences). The project aims to identify the fingerprints of spatiotemporal distributions of the Jurassic-to-Early Cretaceous different igneous complexes within the Sikhote-Alin area and Jiamusi-Hankai block to reconstruct the main processes of formation and evolution of continental crust at the specific conditions of the geodynamic regime change at the Pacific margin of Asia during the Mesozoic. This is thought to allow to conduct the isotopic geochemical systematics of the igneous formations from the indicated region as well as to study their petrogenesis as a consequence of the different geodynamic setting at the active margins. This might be also useful for the following metallogenic analysis. b) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Evolution of the climate and vegetation of the Northern and Central Asia in Cenozoic”. Project leader is Popova S.S. (Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences). The project aims to determine the character of the climate and vegetation changes in the Central and Northern Asia during Paleocene-Miocene on the examples of the paleoflora from the Southern Urals, Western Siberia, Kazakhstan and North-Western with South-Western China. During the indicated period new paleobotanical collections from Eastern Kazakhstan will be studied (more than 700 samples); different types of the Southern Urals, Western Siberia, Kazakhstan paleoflora will be analyzed. As a result of the project new taxonomy lists for each location will be obtained; these are expected to become a basement for the following quantitative climate reconstruction. c) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Tectonics and geodynamics of the Altai-Dzhungar mountain system in the Middle-to-Late Palaeozoic”. Project leader is Travin A.V. (Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The Altai Mountain system is located within the areas of Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, reflecting the strong interest to the international collaboration for the mutual studies. As a result of the investigation, in the frames of the project new information on the ages and kinematics of the regional fault zones within the Altai-Dzhungar mountain system will be obtained. This will allow to suggest the new tectonic and geodynamic reconstructions, resulting in the new step in understanding of geological structure and metallogeny of the Central-Asian Orogenic Belt. d) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “The provenance of clastic materials and tectonic evolution of the Cenozoic Songliao-Amur-Zeya Mega-Basin System”. Project leader is Sorokin A.P.


(Institute of Geology and management of natural resources, Far-Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The Amur-Zeya and Sun Liao basins represent the large sedimentary basins, which were formed in the Late Mesozoic within the Eastern part of Asia. To determine the general tectonic evolution of the final stages of theses basin systems development, in the frames of the project Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary sequences within the different parts of the Amur-Zeya and Sun Liao basins will be studied. The main instruments for investigation include U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic studies, apatite track analysis and Sm-Nd whole-rock isotopic-geochemical studies of the sedimentary rocks. The obtained results will allow to develop the complex geodynamic model of evolution of the Eastern part of Asia in the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. e) Project of the Laboratory of theoretical and experimental study of high-pressure mineral formation (Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences “Complex study of the Siberian Craton”. Project leader is Korsakov A.V. (Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The main purpose of the joint project includes the study of Siberian and North China cratons to identify their similarities and differences in terms of evolution of continental and subcontinental mantle under these cratons. Geochemical laboratory of the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry has unique equipment for analysis of the isotopic data for a number of elements (Ca, Re-Os, Zn, Sr). Basing on these data, it is possible to reconstruct metasomatic processes at the basement of the cratons. f) International Geoscience Programme (the IGCP is a cooperative enterprise of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and IUGS (the International Union of Geological Sciences)) IGCP 2018 – 2023 “Orogenic Architecture and Crustal Growth from Accretion to Collision” is a newly approved and supported project in March, 2018, initiated by Chinese geologists. The main objectives of this proposal are: (1) to characterise differences in crustal formation and architecture between accretionary and collisional orogens; (2) to establish criteria to (semi-) quantitatively describe orogenic development through evaluation of the relative proportions of juvenile vs. reworked crust; and (3) to better understand the role of orogenic compositions on metallogenesis. The project will promote (semi-) quantitative descriptions of orogenic processes and continental growth, and their role in metallogenic enrichments. The results of this study may be helpful to discover new deposits. More than 13 developing and developed countries/regions will be involved. This will enhance cooperation of scientists from diverse social and political environments. This project will undertake first comparative studies on the crustal composition, architecture and metallogenesis between the CAOB (a typical accretionary orogen) and the Tethyan belt (a typical collisional orogen), and outline their differences and similarities. The results of isotopic (whole-rock Nd, Hf-O in-zircon) mapping will be provided, and different types of crustal provinces will be delineated for well-studied regions of the CAOB, the Tethyan belt and other orogens. In addition, a new conceptual or theoretical framework for understanding orogenesis, continental growth and their relationships will be proposed. A new model for (semi-) quantitative description of orogenic development during the Wilson cycle may be established. Finally, new advances or possible new models for metallogenesis during different phases of orogen development and a deeper understanding of the relationship between orogenic processes and metallogenesis may be proposed. The participants, working with the Central Asian Orogenic Belt are mostly from China, Mongolia and Russian Federation and, to a lesser extent, from Taiwan, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, UK and USA.


3.1.2. Geophysics and seismic studies. a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and The China National Natural Science Foundation (CNNSF). Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Active orogeny and intense earthquakes-related folds within the Tien Shan and Caucasus regions”. Project leader is Rogozhin E.A. (Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The project is dedicated to an identification of the structural-tectonic features of the “blind” focuses of the earthquakes, which have not been turned out to the surface as seismic fractures of the large earthquakes and capable to generate intense seismic waves and dangerous geological phenomena within the foldbelt systems of China and Russia. Within the scope of the project detailed seismic and tectonic maps of the scale of 1:200 000 for the indicated regions of Russia, Eastern Kazakhstan and China will be drawn; the exact position of the deep faults along with their geomorphological appearances in the studied areas and seismic potential will be determined with using of the geophysical data; the young deformations, active landslides will be detected. b) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Investigation of the tension of the Earth’s crust and emplacement of the processing zones of the large earthquakes in the SW part of China based on the complex tectonophysic methods”. Project leader is Rebetsky Yu.L. (Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The project aims to develop the tectonophysic basements of the seismic hazards assessment for two areas of China (Yunnan and Sichuan). The previous results of monitoring will be used to investigate the most seismic active and crowded provinces of China to identify the processing zones of the large earthquakes. Similar studies will be provided by the Chinese researchers as well.

3.1.3. Energy sector: oil, gas and associated technologies. a) NOVATEK, COSCO SHIPPING, Sovcomflot and Silk Road Fund signed an agreement in respect of Maritime Arctic Transport LLC (press-release from 7th June 2019, Saint Petersburg). PAO NOVATEK (“NOVATEK”), China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation Limited, PAO Sovcomflot and Silk Road Fund (the “Parties”) signed an Agreement in respect of the Maritime Arctic Transport LLC (“MArT”). According to the Agreement, the Parties intend to establish a long-term partnership providing for the joint development, financing and implementing year-round logistics arrangements for shipping hydrocarbons from the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation to the Asia-Pacific region, as well as organizing transit cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route between Asia and Western Europe. “The Agreement represents an important milestone in developing the transportation of LNG produced by our Arctic projects along the Northern Sea Route,” noted Leonid Mikhelson, NOVATEK’s Chairman of the Management Board. “The development of MArT will facilitate the rapid transformation of the Northern Sea Route into a global and commercially effective transportation corridor between the Pacific and Atlantic basins, as well as in the implementation of the decision made by the leadership of the Russian Federation to increase Northern Sea Route annual cargo traffic to 80 million tons in 2024”. b) Western route of gas supplies to China to be most promising transit corridor (press-release from 28th April 2019, Moscow). The so-called western route of Russian gas supplies to China is going to be the most promising and significant gas transit corridor, Alexei Miller, CEO of Russian gas giant Gazprom, said. "Yamal is not merely a new center of gas production. It is a richest gas bearing area that will supply consumers with gas for more than 100 years. And the fact that Yamal is the richest gas bearing rea means that the ‘western’ route of supplies of Russian gas to China may be seen as the most promising and significant gas transit corridor. That is why


Yamal has all the grounds to become a center of gas supplies to both the West and the East. First of all, to China," he told journalists. c) Geosplit, Portfolio Company of RUSNANO Sistema SICAR Fund, to test 10 gas wells in China (press-release from 5th April 2019). The Russian oil services company Geosplit has successfully completed laboratory testing in China of a new technology for the long-term monitoring of gas wells, and has signed a memorandum of understanding with the largest private oil services company, Anton Oil, on the implementation of a pilot programme to test 10 gas wells in 2019. In accordance with the work programme, long-term testing of 10 gas wells will take place after multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in which quantum markers developed by Geosplit will be used to diagnose the profile of leaks without recourse to downhole operations. This is Geosplit’s second major project in China: earlier it signed an agreement with the oil service company Haimo to introduce a diagnostic marker system for oil wells, for CNPC, the Chinese national oil corporation. Alexander Katashov, General Director of Geosplit: “Geosplit has invested a great deal in upgrading its existing products and services, and also in the development of new ones. Geosplit’s gas markers allow clients to carry out long-term regular monitoring of gas well productivity intervals, which is a major market segment for us. It is interesting to note that our Chinese clients are launching their pilot programme to test our gas well solutions before our Russian customers. We are very glad that our Asian partners appreciate the advantages of this innovative approach, both in technical terms, and in terms of the clear economic benefit to be gained from introducing Geosplit’s technology”. d) Wison Engineering and Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat signed memorandum for collaboration (press-release from 17th September 2018, Shanghai, China). Wison Engineering Services Co. Ltd. recently announced that its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Wison Engineering Ltd. (“Wison Engineering”, “Company”) entered into a memorandum with Gazprom neftekhim Salavat for cooperation on a natural gas-to-polyolefin (ethylene and propene) project at an oil and gas base in Salavat, the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. In this collaboration, Wison Engineering will provide technical support to the project owner during the pre-feasibility study stage, offer support in various areas, such as project process design, process proposal selection, basic technological data, and economic feasibility analysis of the project, and work with Design Institute of Gazprom neftekhim Salavat to prepare information for pre-feasibility study. The signing of the agreement not only lays a solid foundation for subsequent cooperation between both parties, but also significantly enhances the brand reputation of Wison Engineering in Russia’s oil and natural gas market and establishes a strong foundation for the Company’s development in local market. e) Press Conference Background: Gazprom in Eastern Russia, entry into Asia-Pacific Markets (May 28th, 2019). Gazprom continues to implement projects under the Development Program for an integrated gas production, transportation and supply system in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, taking into account potential gas exports to China and other Asia-Pacific countries. Resource base and expansion of production capacities. The Gazprom Group’s gas reserves in the licensed blocks located in Eastern Siberia and the Far East amount to 5.9 trillion cubic meters, including 4.26 trillion cubic meters in the А+В1+С1 categories and 1.64 trillion cubic meters in the В2+С2 categories. Natural gas, LPG and helium deliveries to Asia-Pacific under Eastern Gas Program. The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing gas market in the world. The region’s growth engine is China. In 2018, gas consumption in China soared to 280 billion cubic meters, showing an 18 per cent (43 billion cubic meters) increase. The heightened demand was mostly


met by external supplies: last year, China’s gas imports grew by 32 per cent (30 billion cubic meters) to 125.7 billion cubic meters. Based on the 2018 results, China was the world’s number one importer of natural gas. Gazprom is running a project for Russian gas supplies to China via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline (the eastern route). The start of deliveries is scheduled for December 1, 2019. Asia-Pacific is a key market for the Gazprom Group in the LNG segment: between 2005 and 2018, this region accounted for over three-quarters of all LNG shipments from the Group’s trading portfolio. Out of 3.97 million tons of LNG supplied from the Group’s trading portfolio in 2018, 2.95 million tons (74 per cent) were delivered to Asia-Pacific. In 2018, India for the first time became a major LNG supply destination for the Gazprom Group by consuming 0.76 million tons (19 per cent) of LNG from the Group’s portfolio. Gazprom is also implementing its own LNG projects focused on Asia-Pacific markets. It should be noted first of all that LNG sales to the region could be increased through the construction of the third train at the LNG plant of Sakhalin II. In addition, Gazprom is currently developing an investment rationale for an LNG plant with the capacity of 1.5 million tons near Vladivostok. Helium from the Amur GPP is expected to be exported both to the East (to Asia-Pacific markets) and to the West. A special helium hub will be built in the Primorye Territory to ensure the reliability of supplies. By now, the bidding procedures have been completed and long-term contracts have been awarded to major companies in the global market of industrial gases. To explore the possibility of LPG exports, Gazprom has conducted negotiations with all of the largest potential buyers of LPG in Asia-Pacific who are showing interest in acquiring substantial amounts of the Amur GPP’s products. The Company is examining options to export LPG using special gas carriers, as well as trains and motor vehicles (for deliveries to China). The possibility of selling LPG in Russia is also being considered.

3.1.4. Geoecology and geohazards. a) The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and The China National Natural Science Foundation (CNNSF). Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “Characteristics of the biogenic aerosols (mycophyta) within the sea coastal regions: the key study from the Far East and Southern China areas”. Project leader is Gromov S.A. (Izrael Institute of Global Climate and Ecology). The project aims to study the characteristics and spatial mobility of the sea biogenic aerosols (mycophyta) within the marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean. An uncertainty of involvement of the bioaerosoles into the atmosphere along with a lack of the information on contamination of the coastal regions atmosphere and influence on the climate, are the crucial issues for the study. This research is unique and important for application to the tropical regions in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, inhabited by a half of the whole population of the Eastern Asia. b) Project of the RFBR – CNNSF “An assessment of the ecological risks and countermeasures for their prevention within the transborder regions of Russia, Mongolia and China”. Project leader is Tsydypov B.Z. (Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). The main purpose of the project is to solve the fundamental task of assessment and prognosis of the dynamics of the transborder landscape systems in the northern parts of the Central Asia, which have been changed due to the climate shifts and anthropogenic affection. A recognition of the links between these processes represent an important scientific task. The project aims to develop the reliable strategy of the adaptive management of natural resources in the conditions of the arid climate conditions in the northern parts of the Central Asia (Russian, Mongolian and Chinese parts) in the modern environment of the climate change and enhanced anthropogenic effects.


3.2. Proposed future activities with Japan 3.2.1. Fundamental geosciences programs.

a) Grant of the Center for the Study of Northeast Asia, Tohoku University “Metamorphic complexes of the Itmurundy zone, central Kazakhstan”. The project leader is Safonova I.Yu. (Novosibirsk State University; Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IGM SB RAS)). In the frame of the project comprehensive studies of the formations from the accretionary complexes in the Itmurundy zone are planned. b) Grant of the Center for the Study of Northeast Asia, Tohoku University “Elemental and isotopic fingerprints of subduction-zone hydration-dehydration processes: in-situ perspectives from high-pressure rocks”. The project leader is Skuzovatov S.Yu. (Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Subduction-zone mass-transfer, corresponding element mobility, redox state and mantle-crust interaction at the slab interface has been a matter of a great interest for petrologists during last decades and involved a number of studies of natural objects and experimental studies at different pressure-temperature conditions from shallow to sub-arc depths. For natural objects, in order to decode the composition and fingerprints of slab-derived fluids to understand the fluid-mediated processes, various geochemical tracers have been used, mostly based on trace-element composition and stability of mineral phases. The apparent weakness of the approach is a lacking isotope evidence for the source of overprinting fluids, which makes impossible an unambiguous identification of host dehydrated substrates or external source. Within the scope of the project it is suggested to use a combined in-situ trace-element and isotope approach to investigate both the degree of geochemical overprinting in mafic and ultramafic rocks by subduction-zone fluids and the lateral/vertical mobility of these fluids based on the isotopic signatures of the indicator mineral phases.

3.3. Proposed future activities with Mongolia In the framework of the IGCP 2018 – 2023 project “Orogenic Architecture and Crustal Growth from Accretion to Collision” organization of field excursion and small workshop in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), and/or Russia in June-August 2020 is planned to undertake a comparative study of the CAOB, Tethyan belt with the Lachlan orogen in eastern Australia, and to present research results, summarize research progress, discuss the remaining questions, propose schemes to solve these questions, and to discuss the international conference in the following year.

3.4. Proposed future activities with Socialist Republic of Vietnam 3.4.1. Ore deposits and mineral resources.

Project of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technologies “Metallogeny of tin and wolfram within the structures of North Vietnam: compositions and genesis”. Project leader is Nevol’ko P.A. (Shiloh North-Eastern Complex Scientific Institute, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Based on the geological, geochronological (Ar-Ar and U-Pb), mineralogical, petrological and geochemical with isotopic studies, the formational affinity of the Sn-W ore mineralization will be justified for the indicated tin and wolfram deposits. Geodynamic position of the ore-producing intrusives will be suggested. The obtained results on the Sn-W ore mineralization within the area of the Northern Vietnam will be compared to those from the well-studied deposits within the Southern China. Complex estimate of the Sn-W ore mineralization in Northern Vietnam in terms of the mineralogical, geochronological and geochemical with isotopic studies will be first provided.


3.4.2. Energy sector: oil, gas and associated technologies. a) NOVATEK Signed MoU with Ninh Thuan Province in Vietnam (press-release from 22nd of May, 2019). PAO NOVATEK (“NOVATEK” and/or the “Company”) announced today that the Company and the Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to develop an integrated energy-generating project with the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) within the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The MOU was signed in the presence of Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, and Prime Minister of the Government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The energy-generating project provides for the delivery of LNG utilizing existing infrastructure as well as developing new infrastructure, including the construction of an LNG regasification terminal and new gas-fired power plants within Vietnam. Partners of the proposed project include Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Total Gas & Power Business Services S.A.S and Vietnam A&A Technology Investment Co. Ltd. “The strong economic growth within Vietnam generates additional demand for energy, which can be sustainably met with the development of an integrated gas generation project. The building of gas-fired power generation increases the demand for us to provide competitively priced LNG supplies to the country. This project could be realized in a relatively short period of time with the support of the Ninh Thuan province,” noted NOVATEK’s Chairman of Management Board Leonid Mikhelson. b) Gazprom, PetroVietnam and Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee sign Memorandum of Cooperation (press-release from 6th of September, 2018). Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, Nguyen Vu Truong Son, CEO, Member of the Board of Directors of PetroVietnam, and Nguyen Quan Chinh, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, today signed in Sochi a Memorandum of Cooperation. The Memorandum reflects the intention of the parties to deliver an integrated project. It envisages supplying gas from the Bao Vang field (discovered by Vietgazprom, a joint operating company established by Gazprom and PetroVietnam) to a power plant that will be built in the Quang Tri Province in the central part of Vietnam. At present, efforts are underway to establish within the Quang Tri Province a special area – the Dong Nam Economic Zone – where it is planned to set up industrial, logistics and port infrastructure. In line with the Memorandum, additional exploration will be carried out at the Bao Vang field, with an updated reserves estimate and, if deemed economically viable, an option for follow-up development. The power plant construction project is currently under consideration at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam. According to the Memorandum, the project will be included into the government plan for the development of Vietnam’s power industry until 2030.

3.5. Proposed future activities with Republic of China (Taiwan) 3.5.1. Fundamental geosciences programs.

The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) and Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MoST). Project of the RFBR – MoST “Continental crust of the Precambrian terranes in southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: the main stages of formation and evolution on the basis of the U-Pb and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic investigations”. Project leader is Degtyarev K.E. (Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences). The aim of the project includes investigation of geological structures, ages, sources and prevailing processes of Precambrian terranes continental crust formation and its subsequent evolution in the southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, representing the largest accretion orogen in the world. The main tasks of the project encompass determination of the sources and main stages of formation and following transformation of continental crust of the Chu-Kendyktas and Zheltau massifs in Sothern Kazakhstan and North Tien Shan; estimation


of the role and significance of a suprasubduction- and intraplate-derived juvenile material at the different stages of Phanerozoic evolution of these massifs; identification of the sources of mafic complexes and P-T estimation of their high-pressure metamorphism. Expected studies allow identifying the main features of formation and evolution of Precambrian crust in different geodynamic settings. To solve the postulated tasks, the following works have been suggested: geological, geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic studies and Hf isotopic investigations of detrital zircons from magmatic and metamorphic complexes of the studied region; petrological, geochemical and isotopic (Nd-Hf-Os) investigations of high-pressure eclogites, garnet pyroxenites and spinel-bearing ultramafites; conduction of complex study to obtain an information on the sources of parental melts for basic and granitoid rocks, their formation settings and provenance areas of the clastic rocks; identification of the main stages of formation and transformation of continental crust of the Precambrian terranes in south-western part of the CAOB, which allows to solve the issues on the features of growth rates, formation and evolution of continental crust in Precambrian and Phanerozoic.

3.6. Proposed future activities with Indonesia 3.6.1. Energy sector: oil, gas and associated technologies.

Indonesian government opens investment opportunity for Russia in energy, mineral resources sector (press-release from 26th of October, 2018). Working Group on Energy of the Republic of Indonesia and Russia was held again in Russia. The second Working Group event was held in conjunction with the 12th Indonesian and Russian Joint Commission (SKB) Session, in Moscow, Russia, on October 24-26, 2018. In the working group Indonesian delegation for the energy and mineral resources (EMR) sector led by the Secretary of the Research and Development Agency at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Sujatmiko offered Russia to invest in the EMR sector, because according to Sujatmiko, the energy sector investment is still very promising and the investment climate in Indonesia is now better and more friendly for investors. In the electricity subsector Russian investors can invest and cooperate in building power plants and improving existing projects. "Opportunity for investors from Russia is open to participate in electricity generation development projects as well as operations and repairs of existing ones," Sujatmiko said. In addition to the electricity sector, the Government of Indonesia also offered the Russian Government investment in the geothermal, hydro, supplies of gas turbines to Indonesia, which also include the field of design engineering services. "Indonesia invites Russian companies to participate in the development of the coal, oil and natural gas industry in Indonesia. Indonesia will deliver information about the opportunities for cooperation needed by Russian investors," said Sujatmiko.

4. Reports/publications of technical activities for dissemination to CCOP Member

Countries Most of the fundamental geosciences programs from the Russian side are supported by The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) (https://www.rfbr.ru/rffi/eng); plenty of the scientific works are annually published with the references to the RFBR. The results of the study of Rebetsky Yu.L. on the tensional state of the Earth’s crust and active faults within the area of China will be gradually uploaded to the Internet resource of “Tectonic tensions of Eurasia” (http://shark.ifz.ru (login – user, password – 1). The official website for the IGCP project with all the information on the obtained results and future activities is http://igcp662.org.cn. The official websites for the indicated in the report key Energy companies, collaborating with the CCOP Region Countries, are: http://www.novatek.ru/en/press/releases/, https://www.gazprom.com/press/news/, https://www.tatneft.ru/press-center/press-

http://www.novatek.ru/en/press/releases/

https://www.gazprom.com/press/news/

https://www.tatneft.ru/press-center/press-releases/?lang=en


releases/?lang=en, https://www.rosneft.com/press/releases/, http://www.vietsov.com.vn/Eng/Pages/news.aspx, https://en.rusnano.com/press-centre/news.

https://www.tatneft.ru/press-center/press-releases/?lang=en

https://www.rosneft.com/press/releases/

http://www.vietsov.com.vn/Eng/Pages/news.aspx

https://en.rusnano.com/press-centre/news

Cooperating Country Report of RUSSIAN FEDERATION · 2019-10-28 · CCOP-55AS/4-23 . 55th CCOP...

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Transcript of Cooperating Country Report of RUSSIAN FEDERATION · 2019-10-28 · CCOP-55AS/4-23 . 55th CCOP...