Krylov, Aleksandr

Born Aug. 1 (14), 1904, in the village of Tatevo, in present-day Belyi Raion, Kalinin Oblast. Soviet scientist specializing in the exploitation of petroleum deposits; academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1968; corresponding member, 1953).

Krylov graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Mines in 1926. From 1926 to 1932 he worked in the Baku oil fields and took part in prospecting for coal deposits in the Donbas and on Sakhalin Island. In 1932 he joined the State Petroleum Research Institute; from 1935 to 1956 he was in the subdepartment of petroleum deposit exploitation of the I. M. Gubkin Moscow Petroleum Institute; in 1953 he began working at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Petroleum and Natural Gas (director from 1957 to 1971). He originated the theory and proposed designs for various modifications of flow-type and compressor-lift petroleum extraction methods (1938–50). He was one of the creators of new systems for the exploitation of petroleum deposits using perimeter injection of water into producing beds (flooding) and less dense well patterns; he developed exploitation systems using contour flooding. He was awarded the State Prize of the USSR in 1949 and the Lenin Prize in 1962. He also received the Order of Lenin, four other orders, and medals.