Established by the UN General Assembly, World Water Day is celebrated annually on 22 March. The day is intended to draw society’s attention to the importance of freshwater conservation and to highlight the importance of sustainable management of this precious resource.

Rosneft is recognised as a leader in the rational use of water resources by the end of 2024, according to the RAEX rating agency. The assessment considered water use indicators from 144 companies in Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Rosneft is the only Russian oil and gas company to be among the top 10 participants in the rating with the highest level of assessment of indicators of rational water use, as well as the quality of corporate policies and programmes related to water use.

Rosneft’s subsidiaries maintain high standards of environmental safety in water management in all regions of operation.

Samotlorneftegaz is developing a modern technological system for maintaining reservoir pressure, which makes it possible to use groundwater and completely eliminate the use of water from open sources. The produced water is thoroughly cleaned by gravity settling in special tanks and then returned to the reservoir. The reservoir pressure maintenance system therefore operates in a closed technological loop. The innovative method was introduced at Samotlor in 2020, reducing water withdrawals from natural water bodies by around 300,000 m3.

RN-Yuganskneftegaz has also made significant progress in optimising water consumption. In 2024, the enterprise reduced total water consumption and water withdrawals from natural sources by 6% for the reservoir pressure maintenance system. These results have been achieved by effectively replacing traditional water sources with produced water from the extraction of oily liquids. This not only conserves natural resources, but also increases the efficiency of the production process.

The implementation of environmental programmes and the use of resource-saving technologies in Samaraneftegaz’s operations make a significant contribution to the conservation of water resources in the Samara Region. To date, water withdrawals from surface water bodies to maintain reservoir pressure have been completely stopped and wastewater discharges into water bodies have been eliminated. Recycled water is used to meet production needs.

The Samara Group oil refineries — the Kuibyshev, Novokuibyshevsk and Syzran refineries — use approximately 95% recycled and reused water in their total water consumption. In particular, as part of its environmental programme, the Kuibyshev refinery upgraded recirculating water supply units and reconstructed water intakes and water pipelines. At the Novokuibyshevsk refinery, the commissioning of an innovative membrane bioreactor pre-treatment unit ensured that a portion of the treated effluent is returned to the recirculation water supply system.

One of Rosneft’s key environmental investment projects in the Republic of Bashkortostan is a complex of biological wastewater treatment plants (BWTPs) at the Ufa Refinery Group. Since its launch in 2019, 157 million m3 of wastewater has been treated. Biological waste treatment complex serves not only Bashneft’s refineries, but also treat wastewater from 50 enterprises in Ufa’s northern industrial zone and storm water runoff. Biological waste treatment complex ensures the highest level of treatment of industrial, storm and domestic wastewater, which increases the volume of reused water in technological processes by 2.5 times. The membrane reactor technology removes all impurities and microorganisms from the wastewater. As a result, the water quality meets the standards for fishery water bodies.

The Achinsk refinery is also optimising the operation of the recycled water supply system, which includes upgrading the water supply network and cooling towers, and automating the operating modes of the process water cooling equipment. For example, the refinery has halved its water intake from the Chulym River over the past two years.

At the Angarsk Petrochemical Company, recycling systems and water reuse mean that water extraction from the Angara River, on the banks of which the enterprise is located, is only 11% of annual consumption.

RN-Yuganskneftegaz also pays special attention to the modernisation of wastewater treatment plants. Last year, modern treatment facilities were built at the Moskotsev field. The new complex provides full biological treatment of domestic wastewater from various production facilities, including operating theatres, wastewater treatment plants, control points, repair and mechanical workshops and a fire station. After treatment and disinfection, the wastewater is sent to a special tank from where it is pumped back into the reservoir. The closed water cycle not only minimises environmental impact, but also promotes the rational use of natural resources, fully in line with modern environmental standards and the principles of sustainable development.

RN-Severo-Zapad uses environmental technologies in its operations. To save water, sensor mixers have been installed at filling stations to reduce water losses by up to 15%. Sanitary protection zones have also been established for water abstraction wells. This guarantees the quality and hygiene of the water used at the filling stations.

Rosneft evaluates the availability of water resources in all regions where it operates. Rosneft is also working to increase employee involvement in environment-oriented compliance, organise environmental actions and develop a culture of rational and responsible consumption of natural resources. Volunteers from the enterprises regularly clean and improve the shorelines of bodies of water, set up litter bins, and set up information stands for tourists about the value of lake ecosystems and springs.

Responsible attitude towards the environment is an integral part of Rosneft Oil Company’s corporate culture and one of the key principles of its business. To show its compliance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Rosneft is implementing a comprehensive water conservation programme that includes introduction of advanced technological solutions.

Department of Information and Advertising
Rosneft
March 24, 2025