Kirov Compressor Company (a joint venture between Kirovsky Zavod Mayak PJSC and the Agency for Technological Development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia) presented a model of a compressor station at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum. The equipment is designed for compressing natural gas as part of automobile gas filling compressor stations (AGKS). This was reported by the press service of the Kalashnikov concern.
In Russia, only a few companies produce oil-type compressor units. The Kirov Compressor development does not use oil. The compressor station includes three-, four- and five-stage opposed compressor units that compress gas (compress to reduce its volume) without the use of oil in the compression chamber.
A patented design is used to ensure oil-free compression in the blocks. Thanks to this, it was possible to achieve exceptional fuel purity at the outlet and abandon additional equipment for cleaning gas from oil inclusions.
The compressor station from Kirov Compressor has undergone pilot operation. In 2026, the company plans to launch mass production of compressor units.
Demand for gas engine fuel in Russia
The number of vehicles using gas engine fuel is increasing in Russia. According to the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, by 2035, methane consumption in transport will increase to 10.7 billion cubic meters per year in the basic scenario, and with accelerated market development — up to 15.2 billion cubic meters.
The country has a program to support the construction of automobile gas filling compressor stations (AGKS). Subsidies are also received by enterprises that equip vehicles with gas cylinder equipment (for methane).