Readiness of Russia's Oil and Gas Sector for Technology Exports to BRICS+ – and Where Businesses Can Earn in 2025–2027?

November 2, 2025

A series of statements about the "external pivot" of Russia's oil and gas sector has become a catalyst: Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev announced companies' readiness to export high-margin technologies and equipment to BRICS+, Middle Eastern, and African countries, as well as plans for institutional support of this export, including standards and overseas services, as stated in an interview with TASS and elaborated in a conversation with "InfoTEK" publication. Concurrently, a goal has been set to increase coal supplies to India to 40 million tons by 2035, creating "anchor" demand for logistics and services, according to TASS, reported by Lenta.ru.

What Triggered the Technological Pivot of Russia's Oil and Gas Sector to External Markets?

The trigger was the public priorities of the Ministry of Energy: exporting complex trajectory drilling technologies, enhanced oil recovery methods for heavy and viscous oil, and the supply of compressor, pump, and modular equipment—as described by Sergey Tsivilev. To scale the export model, the creation of a specialized institute for promoting and providing after-sales service for technologies abroad is being discussed, relying on industry standards and their recognition by foreign counterparties, as explained by the minister.

  • Complex trajectory well drilling and multilateral completion.
  • Methods for increasing the recovery of difficult and high-viscosity oil.
  • Centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, pump units, turboexpanders, drives.
  • Skid-mounted modular equipment and well completion technologies.
  • Delayed coking unit with domestic coke hydroabrasive cutting tools (for deeper processing).
"The most likely directions for technology export are BRICS+, Middle Eastern, and African countries, where a combination of affordable price and good efficiency could be a decisive advantage," Sergey Tsivilev emphasized in an interview with TASS.

How Key Partners and Infrastructure Are Reacting: What Is Happening in India, China, and on Transport Corridors?

India is consolidating its position on the demand side: the Ministry of Energy expects to increase Russian coal exports to the Indian market to 40 million tons by 2035, which aligns with Delhi's plans for steel production growth (demand for coking coal) and additional energy consumption for data centers, Lenta.ru reported, citing TASS.

Business mobility and scientific-technical exchange channels are being restored: direct flights between India and China have resumed after a five-year pause, including routes from Kolkata to Guangzhou and Delhi to Guangzhou, which simplifies team travel and project launches, as reported by "Vzglyad". Simultaneously, Russian developments in biotechnology, aquaculture, and greenhouse gas monitoring were presented at an engineering forum in Harbin, and a BRICS eco-conference in Petrozavodsk in 2026 was announced, according to AgroXXI's publication.

At the regional logistics level, Russia is strengthening the "North–South" corridor: the Ulyanovsk region is expanding trade with Caspian and Middle Eastern countries, relying on the "Middle Volga — Caspian Sea — Persian Gulf" route to reduce delivery costs and risks, according to the 73online portal.

Collectively, this is creating "demand and delivery corridors"—from coal and steel to high-tech drilling and processing services.

What Are the Systemic Consequences for Supply Chains and Standards?

The key long-term shift is the transition to an export-service model relying on recognized standards and localized service in BRICS+ countries. This requires institutional infrastructure and certification "corridors" for Russian equipment.

The Ministry of Energy plans to close this loop through the institute for promoting oil and gas technologies and a mechanism for recognizing industry standards, building on the INT's groundwork as a "prototype center" for entering global markets, Tsivilev explained.

Additionally, at a systemic level, import substitution of critical equipment for LNG is taking effect: by the end of 2025, 26 types of equipment (cryogenic pumps, compressors, valves) are planned to be fully covered, providing technological autonomy for large projects. Concurrently, 58% of oil and gas organizations use AI (expected to reach 70% by 2027)—all based on Russian technologies, the Ministry of Energy reported in an interview with "InfoTEK".

What Tactical Opportunities and Risks Exist for Companies in the Next 12–24 Months?

The main opportunities lie in exporting "short-cycle" engineering and equipment for specific BRICS+ projects, while risks involve standard recognition, service localization, and raw material price volatility.

A further window is provided by joint infrastructure and LNG projects in Vietnam, where Russian companies are already in dialogue regarding new oil and gas initiatives, as noted by the Oil and Gas Information Agency, citing TASS.

  • Oilfield services and engineering: complex trajectory drilling, multilateral completion, EOR for heavy oil.
  • Equipment: compressors, pumps, turboexpanders, drives, skid-mounted modular solutions.
  • Refinery technologies: domestic solutions for delayed coking units and hydroabrasive coke cutting for deeper processing.
  • Coal: long-term contracts and logistics services for increased supplies to India.
  • Digital services: AI for geonavigation, production forecasting, and refinery optimization.
  • Localization and standards: participation in recognition programs, pre-certification, and on-site service centers.

Risks include the need for international recognition of industry standards, ensuring spare parts and customer personnel training, as well as the dependence of some demand on the cyclical nature of raw material and electricity prices.

What Does This Mean for Financial Settlements and Contract "De-dollarization"?

Practically, this accelerates the transition to alternative settlement channels—from bilateral clearing to digital tools—to reduce sanctions and banking risks.

Public interest is growing in settlements using ruble stablecoins as a way to speed up cross-border payments and minimize correspondent banking chains, as discussed in an analytical column on Expert.ru.

Concurrently, discussion is underway about the weakening "symbolic power" of the dollar as settlements in BRICS national currencies expand; this trend and its political effects were described in a review by Belnovosti, citing Reuters and the EDB.

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Conclusion for decision-makers: the 2025–2027 window is not about raw material export but selling "meaning and service" around oil and gas technologies with localization and standards in BRICS+. Deals will be swift where there is long-term demand (India, Vietnam), ready logistics ("North–South"), and standard recognition. Those who are first to establish service centers and "frictionless" payment solutions will win.