We are very excited to announce that 2019 marks the USRCC's 10th anniversary!
The 10th Anniversary will be a year-long celebration commemorating the USRCC's 10 years of existence. Join us in celebration at our events and support us in continuing our mission!
The 2019 events will feature high caliber speakers, bring together the most influential key business leaders, experts and decision makers, and will provide our members and stakeholders with the perfect educational and networking opportunities.
We are looking forward to another successful year!
USRCC 4th Annual Technology and Innovation Conference
On November 7th, 2019, the U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce (the "USRCC") hosted its 4th Annual Technology and Innovation Conference organized by the USRCC Technology and Innovation Committee. This Conference was held at the Petroleum Club of Houston.
This event was "by invitation only" and focused on some of the most current global technology trends in leading industries, such as oil and gas and aerospace. Topics of this year's conference included Operational Excellence, Predictive maintenance, Remote Monitoring and Operations, Augmented Reality, Commercialization of R&D Projects, Start-up Companies and Innovative Technologies. Each sessions was moderated by the Innovation and Technology Committee member and followed by the Q&A and networking. The audience was actively involved in the discussions reflecting their interest in the conference's topics.
More than 80 attendees attended this year's conference, including, vice presidents, chief technology officers, presidents, senior executives and technology leaders from Baker Hughes, Shell, TMK ISPCO, Halliburton, Emerson, ExxonMobil, Kinder Morgan, TAM International, Radix Engineering, Parker Drilling, Caterpillar, Moody Rambin, Exterran, Plug and Play, Salamander, Houston Airport System, CGG, Occidental Petroleum, Chevron, Mitsui & Co., Weatherford, Intel Corporation, NOV, Gazprom Trading, Neftegas, Microsoft, Conoco Philips, representatives from the Harris County leadership, venture capital firms, private equity firms and many others.
Welcome remarks were made by the USRCC Chairman and were followed by the sponsor's remarks from Joel Mastervich, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, TMK IPSCO, who emphasized the rich agenda of the event and greeted the audience on behalf TMK ISPCO, the Gold Sponsor of the Conference.
The morning keynote speaker, Jeff Monk, US Energy Industry Executive, Microsoft, focused his presentation on the topic of the "New Principles of Digital Transformation in the Energy Industry."
Speakers of the first session "Operational Excellence" included Greg Powers, Vice President, Halliburton Global Innovation, and Jose Jimenez, Vice President, Global Strategic Accounts, Emerson Automation Solutions. The session was moderated by Rich Frogge, President, Radix Engineering and Software. Presenters covered innovative technologies in operations of the oil and gas industry, including, oil field optimization.
"Predictive maintenance" session speakers included Reagan Kinser, General Manager, North Seamless Facilities, TMK IPSCO, Jeremy Hartings, Operations Manager - US South - Machinery Management Services, Solar Turbines Incorporated, Ganesh Nayak, Director, Product Line Development (Oil & Gas), Exterran Corporation, Leo Vitor Leartth Moreira, O&G Upstream Manager, Radix Engineering. The session was moderated by Alexei Tcherniak, PhD, Shell. The speakers discussed topics including digital core, data science applications, predictive analytics, efficiency monitoring, engineering troubleshooting, predictive and prescriptive maintenance and optimization, including, solar digital.
"Remote Monitoring and Operations" session included panel speakers Hani Elshahawi, Digitalization Lead - Deepwater Technology, Principal Technical Expert - Formation Testing and Sampling, Shell, Anders Johnson, Vice President Storage, Kinder Morgan, Richard Arndts, Senior Project Engineer, TMK IPSCO, Michael Bates, General Manager, Intel Energy. The session was moderated by Andrey Klimushin, Emerson. Presenters covered innovative technologies in remote controlling and monitoring systems, including, in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas.
The luncheon keynote speaker Harvin Moore, President and CEO, Houston Exponential, emphasized Houston's booming tech economy, shared his view on the importance of constant changes and implementation of innovation in business, education, IT, public transportation, and other areas. He also stressed importance of attracting talent and capital to the region, and promoting Houston as a thriving, and innovative city.
The luncheon keynote presentation was followed by the "Augmented Reality" session, which included Athicha Dhanormchitphong and Kyle Daughtry with ExxonMobil IT / IT Strategy / Architecture & Technology and Jeff Potts, Cyber-Physical Systems Leader, Baker Hughes. Speakers discussed AR and VR technologies and their implementation in the different fields, specifically in safety training, and showed various VR/AR practical applications.
"Commercialization of R&D Projects" session included speaker panel with Andrea Course, Venture Principal, Shell Technology Ventures, Michael Trudeau, Senior Director, Corporate Strategy Office, Intel Corporation, Ben van den Brule, CEO, Salamander Solutions Inc., and Wade Bitaraf, Founder, Energy & Sustainability, Plug and Play. They covered different topics from selection of the start-ups and their technologies, to spin off of the technologies and R&D commercialization done by the oil and gas companies to the use of technologies in selecting M&A targets.
Afternoon Keynote Speaker was Arturo Machuca, General Manager of Houston Spaceport who shared with the audience current developments in the Houston Spaceport and space innovation developed in and attracted to Houston.
"Start-up Companies and Innovation Technologies" session panel included Sam Cheney, Technology Manager, Majorpack, Inc., Jonathan Avila, Manager, Business Development, Serl.io, Marat Zaripov, AI Driller, and Chris McManaman, Vice President, Product Development, Ignite ETRM. It was moderated by David Diederich, Vice President, Engineering, Research and Development, TMK IPSCO. Speakers presented to the audience their innovations and practical application.
The Conference concluded with the networking session where speakers and attendees exchanged opinions and made new business connections.
We would like to thank all the attendees, speakers, moderators, USRCC volunteers, USRCC Technology and Innovation Committee members and our Gold Sponsor TMK IPSCO for their support.
"
The event was well organized and the layout was conducive for networking. Great exchange of information. I enjoyed the presentations, venue, and the setup - great work making the conference a success! "
Anders T. Johnson, Kinder Morgan, VP Storage
"It was indeed my pleasure to participate in this event, which I found quite rich and relevant in content."
Power of Siberia gas pipeline will be put into operation on December 2 - source
Tass.com, November 5, 2019: TInitially, the launch of the pipeline was set for December 20. Gazprom and China have set the date for the official launch of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline for December 2, a source familiar with the company's plans told TASS. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said earlier that the construction is ahead of schedule and gas deliveries to China via the northern section of the pipeline (the Heihe-Changling section) will start earlier than planned - on December 1, 2019. Read more...
Oilfield Services Company Weatherford Gets Drilling Contracts in Russia
Russiabusinesstoday.com, November 1, 2019: Swiss-based oilfield service firm Weatherford has signed two contracts worth $67 million for drilling services with two major operators in Russia, the company said in a press release. Operations on the first contract began in July 2019 and will continue until the end of 2022. Weatherford is providing logging, measurement, rotary steerable systems, drilling and geo-data interpretation services at several oilfields in Western Siberia. Read more...
The Week in Review
Indian Carmaker Ashok Leyland to Enter Russian Market
Russiabusinesstoday.com, November 4, 2019:
Indian commercial vehicle majorAshok Leyland will enter the Russian market with a local partner in a year's time, a top company official has said, according toOutlook India. He also said the company plans to enter the top 10 global commercial vehicle manufacturer`s club soon.
"We have identified a local assembler in Russia to take our franchise. We will enter the Russian market in next 12 months," the company's chairman Dheeraj
Hinduja told reporters on Monday. Read more...
Russia expects to sign deals worth over $350 mln with China at Shanghai exhibition
Tass.com, November 6, 2019: Around 100 companies participate in the exhibition this year. Russia expects agreements with China worth more than $350 mln to be signed within the framework of the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) currently ongoing in Shanghai, Senior Vice President of Russian Export Center (REC) Alexey Kozhevnikov told reporters on Wednesday. "Last year we signed agreements worth $350 mln with our Chinese partners here within that Expo, while this year we expect that sum to be higher," he said. In 2018, 67 Russian companies took part in the exhibition, Kozhevnikov said, adding that this year around 100 companies participate. Read more...
Serbia, Russia Agree Triple Increase in Gas Storage
Russiabusinesstoday.com, November 6, 2019:
Serbia has reached an agreement with Russia on expanding the volume of underground gas storage facilities from 750 million to about 2 billion cubic meters, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told the country's media,according to RIA FAN. "Investment in energy infrastructure" is important, Vucic said, adding that "we could have larger volumes stored than 750 million cubic meters." "We have reached an agreement with Russians that we will have much more than 750 million cubic meters. We are aiming at 1.5 and 2 billion cubic meters, liked in Hungary which has 7 billion, so that we never have to worry again when and if gas supply is disrupted," Vucic noted. Read more...
German Pharmaceutical Company Stada Buys Drugs Units Sold in Russia
Russiabusinesstoday.com, November 5, 2019:
In an apparent bid to boost its Russian and Eastern European footprint, German pharmaceutical company Stada on Tuesday agreed to purchase over-the-counter and prescription drugs units from Japan's largest drugmaker Takeda for $660 million, Reuters reports. The portfolio includes drugs sold exclusively in Russia, Georgia and a number of countries from within the Commonwealth of Independent States, the companies said. Read more...
Russia, China & Turkey push global gold purchases to new highs
Rt.com, November 5, 2019:Global bullion holdings continued to rise in the third quarter of this year, with net purchases up 12 percent compared to last year, according to World Gold Council (WGC) data.Central bank purchases of the precious metal totaled 547.5 tons, with more than 156 tons bought in three months from July to September. However, the third quarter buying spree this year is 38% lower than it was in 2018, when quarterly net purchases hit the highest level in eight years. Read more...
Russia to Sign $360mn South African Offshore Oil Deal
Russiabusinesstoday.com, November 5, 2019: A $359 million farm-out deal to give Russia its first foothold in a prospective oil and gas field offshore South Africa is being negotiated by the African country's national oil companyPetroSA and Russian state geological companyRosgeologia, Reutersreports.PetroSA is under pressure to boost dwindling domestic resources that have imperiled its flagship Mossel Bay gas-to-liquid refinery, which is operating well below capacity. The company is hoping the tie-up with Rosgeologia (Rosgeo) and other partners, including Norway's Equinor (EQNR.OL), will accelerate exploration in acreage it holds. Read more...
Houston-Tyumen Sister Cities
SPE Workshop: Mature Fields Development on 4 - 5 Dec 2019Tyumen, Russia
Spe.org, November 8, 2019 : At the workshop, they are planning to discuss recovery enhancement best practice and case studies. Remaining reserves have great potential: about 75% of them are technically recoverable but unprofitable. It is necessary to direct the efforts to find a solution to this problem, which can ensure a significant increase in recoverable reserves on the current basis, in regions characterized by extensive infrastructure and operating companies' presence. Also plan to identify the gap between companies' business plans and technical limits. Read more...
CIS Business News
German ATLAS International delivers EUR 11.3 million worth of equipment for Tashkent Safe City project
Tashkenttimes.uz, November 6, 2019: Management and Data Storage center for the Safe City in Tashkent project will be set up, the IT Development Minister Shukhrat Sadykov announced today at the Government Hour in the Legislative Chamber.
"The design of the center has been approved by the head of state. The center will manage the police and other services. Various events and situations in Tashkent will be overseen from here," he noted.
Read more...
Azerbaijan boosts gas export to Turkey
Today.az, November 4, 2019: I
n January-August 2019, Azerbaijan exported 6,044,65 billion cubic meters of gas from the Shah Deniz field to Turkey, which is 35.5 percent higher than the figure of the same period in 2018, as the Republic of Turkey Energy Market Regulatory Council (EPDK) reports. According to the Council, in August 2019, Azerbaijan accounted for 734.97 million cubic meters or 23.35 per cent of the total gas supply to Turkey. In comparison with August in 2018, supply grew by 15.57 per cent.
Belaruskali, Chinese Migao set up enterprise to make potassium nitrate
Eng.belta.by, November 6, 2019: Belaruskali in association with the Chinese company Migao has commissioned an enterprise to make potassium nitrate. The ceremony to inaugurate the first startup complex of the factory OOO Belkali-Migao took place at the industrial site of Belaruskali's fourth mine administration on 6 November, BelTA has learned. The new factory is the first joint project of OAO Belaruskali and the Chinese company Migao Corporation Limited (the leading manufacturer of specialized potash fertilizers on the Chinese market). The enterprise also represents Belarus' first factory to make potassium nitrate.Read more...
US-Russia Related News in Russian
Новости недели
Сбербанк и 500 Startups запускают вторую волну международного акселератора IT-стартапов
News.ru, 8 ноября 2019:Компания «Ростелеком» хочет зарегистрировать товарную марку YourMobile. Соответствующая заявка уже подана в Роспатент. Бренд будет использоваться для нового сервиса в рамках виртуального оператора организации, передаёт RNS со ссылкой на представителя корпорации. Он отметил, что создание отдельного названия для тарифов, услуг или сервисов является распространённой практикой.Обозначение торговой марки выполнено «стандартным» шрифтом чёрного цвета на латинице.Читать далее...
GET INVOLVED
The USRCC is looking for new team members!
Volunteers play a key role and the contributions they make impact the day-to-day functions of the chamber and shape the future of the relationship between Russia and the U.S.
There are many ways you can get involved with the USRCC. Whether you are an experienced leader or a student, there is a place for you.By volunteering you can be at the very center of our high-profile events held in Houston, Chicago and New York City and interact with influential leaders in the U.S.-Russia trade and investment.
To learn more about the position
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info@usrussiacc.org call 713.429.4680
The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce (USRCC) is a 501(c)(6) not for profit corporation with its headquarters in Houston, Texas, and offices in the Midwest and the Northeast. The USRCC was established in 2009 to promote trade and investment between the Russian Federation and the U.S.A.
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. USRCC does not accept any responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on information contained in this newsletter. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the USRCC or its members. Links within this newsletter lead to other websites, including those operated and maintained by third parties. The linked sites are not part of the USRCC newsletter. USRCC includes these links solely as a convenience to the newsletter subscribers, and the presence of such links does not imply a responsibility for the linked site and its operator. USRCC cannot certify the accuracy of the material provided by the original source.