December 2021 | ISSUE No. 354 | USRCC Business Newsletter
USRCC Activities - 4th Standardization Conference
On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and its Committee for Industrial Policy and Technical Regulation hosted its virtual 4th Standardization Conference.

Mr. Andrey Lotsmanov, Deputy Co-Chairman of Committee of Industrial Policy and Technical Regulation, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, served as a moderator of the Conference.

Over 70 registrants representing PJSC "TMK", PJSC "Gazprom Neft", Russian Institute for Standardization, OMK, HMS Group, Rosniti, as well as Russian standardization bodies representatives were able to participate in the discussion of requirements for hydrogen pipes production, hydrogen pipes certification, development of new standards in the United States related to hydrogen and energy transition.

Speakers representing almost all main US standardization bodies participated in the 4th Standardization Conference:
  • David Miller, Senior Director, Standards Development, American Petroleum Institute;
  • Christopher Mahler, Director, Derivative Programs, Conformity Assessment, ASME;
  • Nick Ecart, Senior Director, Business Development, Europe, Middle East, Russia, India & Africa, ASTM International.

Speakers' presentations were followed up with moderated Q&A session. Attendees of the Conference asked questions regarding requirements for pipes certification, the qualified presumption of safety system, the process of standards renovation, and many others.
DAVID MILLER,
PE, F.ASCE 

Senior Director,
Standards Development, 
American Petroleum Institute 
CHRISTOPHER
MAHLER

Director,
Derivative Programs, 
Conformity Assessment, 
ASME
NICK ECART

Director of EMEA Sales,
ASTM International
USRCC Partner Event
56th PETROUSHKA BALL

February 11, 2022

After a year's pause, New York's premier Russian-American event of the social calendar is back.
The USRCC as an official partner of 56th Petroushka Ball invites you to join the event to celebrate in-person and dance the night away on February 11, 2022 at The Plaza Hotel in NYC
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all who are present at the event.
Reception, Dinner & Entertainment, Dancing
Dress Code: Strictly White or Black Tie, Long Ball Gowns
All net proceeds from the 56th Petroushka Ball will be directed towards the Russian Children's Welfare Society (RCWS) charitable programs. Founded in 1926, the RCWS is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children at risk in Russia.
To learn more visit www.rcws.org
For further details, please visit the event page, contact RCWS at 212-473-6263 or main@rcws.org.

Thank you for your support! 
USRCC Partner Event
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF)
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a unique event in the world of business and economics. SPIEF has been held since 1997, and since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation, who has also attended each event.
Over the last 24 years, the Forum has become a leading global platform for members of the business community to meet and discuss the key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole.
The 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is set to take place on 15–18 June 2022. As in previous years, the business program will focus on the global and Russian economies, social issues, and technological development.
The Forum will be held in strict accordance with health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, carefully drawn up by the Organizing Committee in line with the WHO recommendations. SPIEF 2022 will provide a full range of services to enable participants to effectively nurture and expand their business network and enjoy safe, productive participation, including in an enriching cultural and sporting program.

More information on the upcoming SPIEF 2022 is available here.
USRCC Membership
Are you taking advantage
of your USRCC Member Benefits?

The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce provides a variety of Membership options to fit your business needs and goals. Renew your membership or join for the first time today!

For more information click here.
Member's News
Shell Acquires Solar and Energy Storage Developer Savion, Further Expanding Its Global Renewable Power Business

Shell.com, December 14, 2021: Shell New Energies US LLC, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), has signed an agreement to buy 100% of Savion LLC (Savion), a large utility-scale solar and energy storage developer in the United States, from Macquarie’s Green Investment Group. With this acquisition, Shell expects to significantly expand its global solar portfolio. Read more...
Sulzer Launches IEC Motor Compatible CPE Process Pump

Sulzer.com, December 14, 2021: The CPE process pump is designed for a variety of industrial applications, such as clean or slightly contaminated liquids, viscous liquids, and fibrous slurries. It meets the requirements of ASME B73.1 (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) applied to chemical processes. A heating jacket option is available for applications that require a specific temperature to enable smooth pumping operation. Read more...
ExxonMobil and Scepter, Inc. to Deploy Satellite Technology for Real-time Methane Emissions Detection

Corporate.exxonmobil.com, December 13, 2021: ExxonMobil and Scepter, Inc. have agreed to work together to deploy advanced satellite technology and proprietary data processing platforms to detect methane emissions at a global scale. The agreement has the potential to redefine methane detection and mitigation efforts and could contribute to broader satellite-based emission reduction efforts across a dozen industries, including energy, agriculture, manufacturing and transportation. Read more...
Management Committee Endorses 2022–2026 Digital Transformation Strategy of Gazprom Group

Gazprom.com, December 17, 2021: The Gazprom Management Committee endorsed the Strategy of digital transformation of Gazprom (Gazprom Group) for 2022–2026. It was highlighted that Gazprom is actively creating and implementing advanced digital technologies. Today, special software packages and digital modeling technologies are widely used throughout the entire production chain of Gazprom, allowing the Company to efficiently manage its business processes during hydrocarbon production, transportation, storage, and distribution. Read more...
USRCC Announcement
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 
or contact us directly at info@usrussiacc.org  
call 713.429.4680
This Week in Review
Russia Draws up Carbon Operator Rules

Intellinews.com, December 15, 2021: The Russian Ministry for Economic Development has drawn up the procedure for determining payments for services provided by the operator of the register of carbon units. The carbon operator rules are submitted for approval to the the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service and the Central Bank of Russia. Read more...
Russian Gas to Remain Competitive for 30-35 Years More — Deputy Energy Minister

Tass.com, December 15, 2021: Natural gas supplies from Russia will remain competitive for 30-35 years, Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin said on Wednesday. Russia is honoring all the gas supply commitments, the official said. The greater portion of supplies is under long-term contracts, he noted. Read more...
Russian Lawmaker: Nord Stream 2 Could Become Operational Next Month

Oilprice.com, December 17, 2021: The Russia-led Nord Stream 2 pipeline could start shipping natural gas to Germany as early as next month, as Europe would not want to drag its feet with the certification process with storage levels so low, a top Russian lawmaker said on Friday. Read more...
Russia Sharply Hikes Rates in Desperate Battle with Inflation

Themoscowtimes.com, December 17, 2021: Russia’s Central Bank has raised interest rates for the seventh consecutive time as the country struggles to tame surging inflation, which has jumped to above double the official target. The regulator hiked its key rate by a full percentage point Friday, taking borrowing costs to 8.5%, their highest level in four years. Read more...
Rosneft is Among the Best Performing Oil and Gas Companies in CDP's International Climate Rating

Insider.com, December 13, 2021: Rosneft is among the oil and gas industry leaders who participated in CDP international climate rating (Carbon Disclosure Project).  After an independent survey Rosneft was given a B score which is one level above the average score of the global climate rating participants. At the same time Rosneft's performance in the area of corporate governance and implementation of greenhouse gas reduction initiatives received an A  - the highest CDP score. Read more...
Russia Hopeful of Space Rides from NASA to ISS from 2022 - Agency Head

Reuters.com, December 15, 2021: Moscow expects NASA to start taking cosmonauts to the International Space Station again and is hopeful that cooperation can resume next year, the head of the Russian space agency was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Russia has been the only country capable of delivering people to the ISS since 2011, when the U.S. space agency retired its space shuttle and divert resources towards deeper space exploration. Read more...
CEO Says Gazprom Neft Expects Record High Profit in 2021

1prime.biz, December 17, 2021: Russian oil company Gazprom Neft expects a record high profit in 2021, CEO Alexander Dyukov said during a news conference on Friday. 
“We will have a record high profit this year, we will pay almost a trillion (rubles) of taxes to different budgets. Everything is fine, the output rises, the profit rises,” he said. Read more...
Russian Carbon Emissions Market Estimated at $50 bln - Putin

Interfax.com, December 17, 2021: The Russian carbon emissions market is worth an estimated $50 billion, President Vladimir Putin said. "Carbon emissions is essentially a new kind of business. The Russian market for trade in carbon units is estimated at $50 billion. Here is something to think about and something to work on. We also have major competitive advantages in this area," he said at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Congress. Read more...
Russia's Gazprom Neft expects bumper growth in oil output, income

Reuters.com, December 17, 2021: Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russian energy firm Gazprom , expects oil and gas condensate output to grow by 2.5% this year and by a further 7% in 2022, Chief Executive Alexander Dyukov told reporters. Gazprom Neft, whose output has grown faster than its Russian peers, produced 96.1 million tonnes of oil equivalent of hydrocarbons in 2020, including 60.5 million tonnes of oil and gas condensate, or liquids. Read more...
CIS Business News
Azerbaijan's Renewable Energy Sources Capacity Totals 7,538 MW

Azernews.az, December 9, 2021: To date, the total installed capacity of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan is 7,538 MW, Day.az reported with the reference to the presentation of the State Agency on Renewable Energy Sources. Of that capacity, thermal power plants account for 6,238 MW. Read more...
Belarus, Russia Eager to Intensify R&D Cooperation

Eng.belta.by, December 17, 2021: Belarus and Russia intend to intensify bilateral cooperation in R&D and innovations primarily through the implementation of new programs and projects of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. The possibilities were discussed at a session of the commission on forming the common R&D space of the Union State on 17 December. The session was chaired by Chairman of the State Science and Technology Committee of Belarus Aleksandr Shumilin and Russian Deputy Science and Higher Education Minister Natalya Bocharova, the committee's press service told BelTA. Read more...
US-Russia Related News in Russian
◾ Новости недели
"Новатэк" Подал Заявки на Аукционы по Трем Газовым Участкам на Ямале

Tass.ru, Декабрь 17, 2021: Компания "Новатэк" подала заявки на участие в аукционах на Южно-Ниливойский, Южно-Сеяхинский и Западномалыгинский участки недр, расположенные в Ямало-Ненецком автономном округе. Об этом сообщили ТАСС в Минприроды. Общая стартовая сумма разового платежа за право пользования недрами на участках составляет 1,18 млрд рублей. Дату проведения аукционов в министерстве пока не уточнили. Читать далее...
ЛУКОЙЛ Вступает в Общество Декарбонариев

Kommersant.ru, Декабрь 17, 2021: ЛУКОЙЛ к 2050 году собирается достичь полной углеродной нейтральности. В качестве одного из способов декарбонизации компания видит масштабное строительство ВИЭ. Суммарно ЛУКОЙЛ планирует инвестировать в зеленую энергетику $15 млрд за десять лет, что на 30% больше всей программы поддержки ВИЭ в России. По оценкам экспертов, на эту сумму нефтяная компания может в зависимости от технологии и расположения объектов построить до 30 ГВт ВИЭ, что в десять раз больше, чем в стране есть сейчас. Читать далее...
Глава «Газпром нефти» Объяснил Отказ от Покупки 50% «Томскнефти»

Rbc.ru, Декабрь 17, 2021: «Газпром нефть», владеющая 50% «Томскнефти», не стала приобретать еще 50% компании у «Роснефти» и не воспользовалась преимущественным правом выкупа. Об этом заявил гендиректор «Газпром нефти» Александр Дюков на брифинге, передает корреспондент РБК. Читать далее...
Леонид Федун Предрек Драматическое Подорожание Нефти

Vedomosti.ru, Декабрь 17, 2021: Потребление нефти будет стабильным до 2030 г., после чего последует резкое снижение потребления в Европе, а с 2035 г. также в Китае и США. Об этом заявил вице-президент «Лукойла» Леонид Федун в пятницу на презентации перспектив развития мировой энергетики до 2050 г. Но текущих проектов в нефтедобыче, по оценкам топ-менеджера, не хватит для удовлетворения спроса на нефть. Читать далее...
"Русал" Запустил Тайшетский Алюминиевый Завод

Interfax.ru, Декабрь 17, 2021: "Русал" в пятницу запустил первую очередь Тайшетского алюминиевого завода мощностью 428,5 тыс. тонн алюминия в год, сообщил корреспондент "Интерфакса" с церемонии запуска предприятия. Инвестиции в проект составили порядка 100 млрд рублей, он профинансирован за счет собственных средств производителя алюминия, а также синдицированного кредита в размере 30 млрд рублей от ВТБ и 15 млрд рублей от Газпромбанка. Читать далее...
 USRCC Executive Partners 
U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce
2900 Wilcrest Drive
Suite 133
Houston, TX 77042

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.

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