This let the Company use the creative potential of its specialists and promote the application of innovative ideas.

As a result of moral incentives and financial stimulation of employees putting forward innovation and inventive proposals (award to a single inventor constitutes 12-13% of economic effect) the number of employees making a remarkable contribution to higher efficiency of production is on the rise. For example, in 2001 the number of inventors amounted to 1,736, in 2002 – 1,930, and in 2003 the number rose to 2,721. Consequently, there was a rise in the number of proposals: 2001 saw 1,316 of them, 2002 – 1,634, and 2003 – 1,963.

In 2003, due to innovation proposals the Company’s savings doubled as compared with 2001 to total over RUR 200 mn.

Last December the Tyumen Regional Council of the All-Russia Society of Inventors awarded OJSC “Surgutneftegas” with Diploma of First Degree for participation in the regional contest “The Best Company in Terms of Innovation Activity”.

According to the documents of title received pursuant to its patent acquisition schedule, over the first nine months of the previous year the Company increased its intangible assets to RUR 61.1 mn as compared to RUR 6.5 mn in 2002.

Press Service of OJSC “Surgutneftegas”