“Taming Steam and Gas”: Russia Develops Smart System to Dry Oil Wells
The MSKU-10 unit boosts output while cutting emissions, as engineers target one of the toughest problems in super-viscous oil production.
At fields producing super-viscous oil, engineers constantly struggle with steam-and-gas mixtures building up in the annular space of wells. This hot, moisture-laden gas damages equipment, drives up pressure, and disrupts production. Engineers at Tatneft-Dobycha say they have found a way around the problem. The company has developed a mobile well compressor unit known as MSKU-10 (M), designed specifically to handle these conditions. The system has already been patented, the company’s press service told IT-Russia.
The MSKU-10 performs several key functions. First, it enables what engineers describe as “smart” drying: a dedicated module separates water and steam from gas, allowing the compressor to operate stably even under extreme conditions. Second, a single unit can service three to five wells at once, improving the economics of deployment. Third, the system is designed for full remote control, allowing engineers to operate it without traveling to the field.
MSKU-10 Set for Wider Deployment
Test results have confirmed the effectiveness of the technology. Production increased by an average of one additional metric ton of super-viscous oil per well per day, with some wells showing gains of 10 to 20 tons. The use of the unit also completely eliminated steam-and-gas emissions into the atmosphere, delivering clear environmental benefits. From an economic standpoint, the company estimates a payback period of about two years, with profits of roughly 3.5 million rubles (about $42,000) per well.
According to the company, MSKU-10 has already been recognized internally as a best-in-class solution, and Tatneft-Dobycha is now preparing the technology for large-scale rollout.
Earlier, IT-Russia reported that Russia saw a sharp increase in the discovery of new solid mineral deposits in 2025, with 251 sites identified, a surge partly attributed to the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
