Rosatom’s fuel division, TVEL, and the Vietnamese national oil and gas corporation Petrovietnam have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) in the field of additive technologies. The document was signed by Ilya Kavelashvili, Director of Additive Technologiesat TVEL, and Fan Tu Ziang, Deputy General Director of Petrovietnam.
Additive technologies make it possible to produce parts and components that are difficult to produce using traditional methods such as casting and machining. Three-dimensional printing reduces the weight of products, optimises material use and reduces production time. Modern 3D printers make it possible to quickly reconfigure printing parameters for the manufacture of products from various materials. Products find application in various fields from nuclear and space technologies to medicine.
The MOC specifies construction of a modern additive technology centre in Vietnam, which Petrovietnam plans to use to improve the efficiency of its operations. Using 3D printing, Petrovietnam will be able to produce complex parts for drilling and pumping equipment, reducing production downtime through rapid prototyping. The introduction of additive technologies will also speed up the restoration and repair of equipment and large-sized products and reduce dependence on imported supplies of spare parts.
The project will be implemented in several stages, including a technical audit of the oil corporation’s production processes by Russian specialists, coordination of the centre configuration and listing additive equipment needed to open the facility.
“Cooperation in the field of additive technologies is a promising area for expanding the bilateral partnership between Russia and Vietnam,” said Petrovietnam Deputy Director General Phan Thu Ziang. “An inspection of the promising site for creating the centre is scheduled for July this year, and the opening of the facility could take place as early as 2027.”
For TVEL, this project goes beyond a one-time export deal. Russian specialists offer not just equipment, but a ready-made turnkey industry ecosystem including scientific and technical support, supply of raw materials and training of engineers.
“We already have successful experience in exporting Russian additive technologies. Rosatom’s first foreign Centre for Additive Technologies with Russian equipment was opened in Belarus, and a large-sized industrial 3D printer for the aerospace industry was delivered to India,” said Ilya Kavelashvili. “In the future, we are ready to consider localising the assembly of 3D printers in Vietnam for further promotion to the countries of Southeast Asia.”
