During its visit to the Republic of Tatarstan, the Global Energy Association delegation visited the Tatneft Oil Museum in the village of Shugurovo, Leninogorsk District. The unique open-air museum was established in 2015 on the site of the former Shugurovo oil bitumen plant.
The history of this place begins with the decree of Peter the Great entitled “Mining Freedom” an dating back to 1700, which allowed everyone, regardless of rank or origin, to engage in prospecting for minerals. A key role in the development of these lands was played by the American entrepreneur of Hungarian origin, Laszlo Schander. In 1876, he dispatched samples of bituminous sandstone to Kazan and, upon receipt of confirmation for the oil presence, initiated his operations in this area.
The delegation examined the adits – horizontal workings in the mountain where workers extracted bituminous sandstone. “The workload here was undoubtedly quite strenuous. Bituminous sandstone was carved while lying on one’s back or sitting in narrow and cramped areas,” the guide elaborated.
The guide also spoke about the harsh working conditions at the plant: “Until 1818, the concept of occupational safety did not exist. During the working day, individuals who breathed in fumes would succumb to unconsciousness, collapse into open boiling vats, and be cooked alive.” 1941 the plant was placed under the authority of the State Defense Committee and worked for the front, producing batteries for military equipment. 180 people from the plant went to the front, three of whom were awarded the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union.
In addition, the territory of the Oil Museum features various oil extraction devices from different eras. Here one can see a wooden drilling rig from Schander’s time, a 1960s BU-75 drilling rig with the Tatneft logo, as well as heavy-duty equipment for repair work and models of pumping units. A dugout of the first oil workers has been recreated, complete with a wooden bed, table, miniature potbelly stove, and earthen floor – it was in such conditions that people once lived and worked.
