Gazpromneft-Aero Smart Fuel blockchain platforms

2021

Memorandum on development of digital tools of instant financial settlements

In June 2021, Gazprom Neft, VTB and Aeroflot, as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, concluded a memorandum on cooperation in the development of digital instant financial settlement tools between partners.

Alexander Dyukov, chairman of the board of Gazprom Neft: Gazprom Neft first-ever successfully applied own blockchain platform to the organization of refueling aircrafts. Our development - the Smart Fuel * program - increased the level of financial security of the fuel payment procedure and significantly reduced the settlement time from several days to 15 seconds. I am sure that in partnership with the leading bank and the main air carrier of our country, we will continue the active development and scaling of this service, as well as explore the possibility of creating new specialized digital tools for the aviation industry. "

"In fact, our planes will refuel, like at a gas station: I drove up, poured, immediately settled and flew on. There is no such thing now. Now the calculations are several days. Of course, this is a breakthrough decision, "said Andrei Kostin, President-Chairman of the Board of VTB Bank.

Mikhail Poluboyarinov, General Director of Aeroflot: "Aeroflot Group consistently introduces the most modern methods for managing operating activities, business processes, mutual settlements. Participating in the development of digital innovative products that demonstrate efficiency, such as a digital payment module based on blockchain technology, is an investment in efficiency and reliability. "

In addition, the Gazprom-Aero platform operator announced an expansion of the platform's geography: Tolmachevo International Airport in Novosibirsk connected to the system, where Utair and Smartavia airlines are already serving flights using Smart Fuel.

Tests of the Smart Fuel blockchain platform at Murmansk airport

In early March 2021, it became known about the successful completion  of testing of the blockchain platform for the Smart Fuel air refueling at Murmansk International Airport. This system was launched by Gazpromneft-Aero (operator of the Gazprom Neft aircraft fuel business), and the implementation project was implemented with the participation of the air carrier Smartavia, as well as VTB and Raiffeisen Bank.

According to the press service of Gazprom Neft, Smart Fuel allows you to instantly pay for an air refueling, which reduces the time of mutual settlements between the fuel supplier and the airline from 4-5 days to 15 seconds.

The application for refueling, payment and exchange of reporting documents takes place online using applications on the tablets of the pilot and the operator of the fuel truck. Thanks to blockchain technology, transaction data is guaranteed to be stored in the system and available to all participants in the process. Information from the Smart Fuel system is synchronized into the airline's electronic on-board log and into the digital fuel accounting system at fuel trucks.

The new Smart Fuel digital system made it easier for our partners to work and increased the financial security of mutual settlements, which is extremely important in the current macroeconomic conditions. Our development has a high potential for scaling for the entire industry, "said Anatoly Cherner, Deputy Director General of Gazprom Neft for Logistics, Processing and Sales.

As part of the project, VTB implemented a payment module, which is responsible for the settlement part between the fuel supplier and airlines. The introduction of this blockchain solution allowed Gazprom Neft to optimize the system of mutual settlements with its customers and in the future will make it possible for airlines to save on the advance of funds, said the head of Smartavia Sergey Savostin.^[1]

The design and deployment of the platform, the development of operational and payment smart contracts were carried out by ProKSI JSC (Industrial Cryptosystems).

"The Smart Fuel project demonstrates the readiness to introduce smart contracts in the real sector of the Russian economy. Reducing transaction costs due to digitalization of routine operations and reducing the financial burden on customers is the result that any business seeks, "commented Mikhail Chekanov, Development Director of ProKSI. "The successful implementation of the blockchain platform confirms the maturity of our technological solutions, which today provide reliable, fast and safe online interaction between fuel companies, air carriers and leading Russian banks."

"The Smart Fuel platform will reduce operating costs and accelerate interaction between business and the state, and the benefits are obvious for both parties," said Andrei Chapchaev, CEO of Infotecs. - In order to comply with the requirements of the legislation regarding the protection of confidential information, it is necessary to implement certified GOST cryptography. To solve this problem, we have created a cryptographic information protection tool. Together with colleagues from ProKSI, we are working on its integration into application systems in order to protect confidential information when using blockchain technologies in Russia, "he stressed.

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