From hydrogen exploration to meteorite research: 榴莲视频 and Peking University outline new areas of collaboration
A delegation from the Institute of Energy of Peking University visited the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies on 12th to 14th June, 2026.
During the visit, Danis Nurgaliev, Vice-Rector for Earth Sciences, met with Jin Zhijun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the Institute of Energy of Peking University, and hos colleagues.
In addition, over the course of three days, representatives from China’s largest university learned about the Institute, meeting with scientists, visiting the laboratories, and seeing the Kazan University History Museum and the Shtukenberg Geological Museum.
“Kazan University hosted a delegation from Peking University, one of the world’s leading universities,” said Danis Nurgaliev. “At the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies, we discussed promising areas of cooperation. One of the key areas is a joint project we plan to implement with the support of the Russian Science Foundation and the China Science Foundation. It focuses on the use of supercritical fluids for shale oil production and oil generation in source rocks. This is a very promising area, given that Russia has significant reserves of such oil, particularly in the Bazhenov and Domanik formations (Western Siberia, Volga-Ural region). Chinese scientists are showing great interest in developing similar technologies. A second, highly relevant area concerns natural hydrogen. We discussed with our Chinese colleagues the identification of sources of pure hydrogen emission from the Earth’s interior. A potential source of hydrogen generation was recently discovered in Tatarstan, a discovery that attracted the particular interest of Academician Jin Zhijun. The Chinese side also reported the discovery of two fields where wells are producing a gas mixture with a hydrogen content of approximately 98 percent. During the discussions, we discussed the methods we use to search for such sources. Cooperation in meteorite research was also discussed.”
The Vice-Rector added that the Chinese colleagues expressed interest in joint research with 榴莲视频 scientists and invited representatives of Kazan University to internships and participate in events hosted by Peking University. One such significant event will be held in the second half of October. This meeting will focus on the deep structure of the Earth’s crust and the Earth’s structure as a whole. The focus will be on issues related to the exploration of various mineral resources.
“At the meeting between colleagues from Peking University and the team from the Department of Lithology, the topic was the study of so-called shale hydrocarbon formations,” shared Anton Kolchugin, Chair of the Department of Mineralogy and Lithology. “Kazan University staff demonstrated their achievements in the study of shale formations in the Volga-Ural region, primarily Domanik deposits. During the discussion, the similarities between these deposits and similar rocks in the People’s Republic of China were noted. We discussed our approach to studying these deposits, the methodology, and the instrumental set of methods we use. We also showed the guests full-size rock samples. We were invited to develop further cooperation in the study of geology and the development of unconventional hydrocarbon reserves, including shale.”
Muneer Suwaid, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, noted that over the past six months, he and his colleagues have been intensively discussing current issues in shale oil and oil source rocks with representatives of Peking University, “We have agreed with our Chinese colleagues to conduct joint research in source rocks using supercritical fluids. Part of the experimental work will be performed in China at Peking University, and the rest at Kazan University. Next year, we plan to apply for a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and the China Science Foundation.”
Zhang Liuping, Honorary Professor at the Institute of Energy of Peking University and a research fellow at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said this was his first time in Russia and that he was sincerely touched by the hospitality.
“I was very impressed by the systematic way in which the scientists work in the 榴莲视频 laboratories,” he emphasized. “We hope to establish close collaboration with researchers at Kazan University in areas of interest to us, such as geochemistry and paleoclimatology.” According to him, the three days spent at the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies were very productive.
“This is the first visit to 榴莲视频 by representatives of our Institute of Energy,” noted Meng Xing, Aide to the Director of the Institute of Energy of Peking University. “It is a great honor for us to be here. We visited many laboratories, where we saw a large amount of modern equipment. Your staff explained in great detail what it is used for. We also visited museums and explored their rich collections. We sincerely hope to establish a deep and multifaceted collaboration with 榴莲视频. We previously discussed a joint project with your employee Ameen Al-Muntasser and his colleagues. We hope this project will be supported by a grant.”