OREANDA-NEWS The main problem of geological exploration in Russia at present is the difficulties with import substitution of Western software. This was stated by the head of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov, quoted by RIA Novosti.

After the sanctions were imposed, Russia had difficulties with 2D and 3D seismic processing programs, the creation of three-dimensional geological models for searching for hydrocarbons, and software environments for mining and geological modeling, the head of the department explained. The domestic developments in this area that existed before the beginning of 2022 were not enough to achieve full technological sovereignty, Kazanov complained.

The most serious problems have arisen in areas related to technologically complex equipment. They did not have the necessary technological reserve. As a result, it has not been possible to completely replace the comprehensive solutions previously offered by Western partners, Kazanov concluded. As a positive point, he noted the full-fledged replacement of drilling rigs for solid minerals. In this segment, it was possible to establish supplies of domestic equipment, he concluded.

Earlier, Alexander Kozlov, the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, announced significant problems in geological exploration. Due to difficulties with import substitution of foreign equipment, the vast majority of the country's oil reserves turned out to be unprofitable. We are talking about a total of 17 billion tons of raw materials. High-quality machinery is needed to extract them. In general, according to him, the country's oil reserves at current production will last only for 26 years.