Maxim Kishchenko was born in Nefteyugansk. He envisioned that one day – like many locals – he would become an oil worker.
The first step in that direction was taken when Maxim entered the Rosneft class, which is part of the project based on the continuing Rosneft’s education programme School-University-Enterprise. The Russian oil & gas producer’s programme offers profession-oriented education to schoolchildren.
Many energy enterprises have expressed their interest in the project that aims to overcome the shortage of mining engineers in the country. High-school students who enrolled in Rosneft сlasses get a chance to meet representatives of industry organisations.
At the end of their studies, the soon-to-be graduates take part in the Olympiad, a form of academic competition. Based on its results, the most talented students are admitted to mining-engineering universities under a quota.
“In 2012, St. Petersburg Mining University provided 35 free study places for graduates of four Rosneft classes from my region. I had obtained a high score in the Olympiad; hence, I was admitted to the ‘Operation and Maintenance of Oil Production Facilities’ programme. So, I arrived in St. Petersburg. To say I was amazed by the university is to say nothing at all. I participated in various forums, case championships, underwent an internship at Belarusian National Technical University and visited BelAZ, a Belarusian automobile plant.
A great deal of time was spent in Mining University’s labs. We studied reservoir engineering, used simulators to learn the basics of repair of oil & gas wells. We had the most up-to-date software in our possession to get acquainted with the modelling of oil & gas fields. In fact, some of the labs we worked in are also in use by the university’s research staff when conducting studies commissioned by Russia’s largest petroleum companies,” says Maxim.
As a student, Maxim found interest in analysing organic deposits of the paraffin type building up in oil wells. He thereupon decided to write his thesis paper on this topic.
After completing his master’s, Mining University’s graduate chose to serve in the Russian Armed Forces. He was assigned to a science unit, and soon Maxim continued with research work. His studies’ focus was on enhancing the efficiency of heating and discharging processes for viscous petroleum products stored under low temperatures. It is worth noting that such units often function on the premises of research institutes and military universities.
Maxim ended up within the walls of the Military Logistics Academy, which is also located in St. Petersburg. Whilst being in the army, he wrote 20 scientific articles, took part in both Russian and international conferences. Moreover, one of his projects won a contest organised by the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises.
Now, Maxim is a senior geologist at the oil & gas production department of Yuganskneftegaz. It is a wholly integrated subsidiary of Rosneft and its most important production subsidiary, which accounts for approximately 30% of Rosneft’s total output.
Three years ago, Maxim graduated from Mining University. He is still researching paraffin deposition and looking for new ways to fight this problem. Yet, he has since taken this work to another level.
“In 2020, a new technology emerged, and it has become widely used ever since. Instead of ordinary tubing pipes, a counterpart with inner polymer coating is taken, which helps resist the formation of deposits and prevent equipment from clogging. But as time goes by, the analogue’s quality decreases, bringing back the problems and, with them, the losses. That’s why I realised that such a device that will perform high-quality automated diagnostics of the coating is needed,” says Maxim Kishchenko.
The young professional is currently participating in the conference on science and technology organised by Rosneft. The solution he offers is amongst the leading ones, and he has all the chances to win the regional competition. In case Maxim becomes the winner of the all-Russian competition, it will definitely arouse his employer’s interest in the project. It means he will have an opportunity to implement his idea in practice.