Successful development of vertically integrated oil companies as the basis of the fuel and energy complex of Russia today is not possible without creating effective competitive advantages, strengthening the position of the company on the domestic and foreign markets. The sphere of research and development should be considered as the most important asset of the company, providing the increase of competitiveness. The world's leading oil companies have achieved significant success at the expense of leadership in technology, which allows them to effectively operate even in conditions of low prices for oil and petroleum products. Having a powerful human, technical and scientific potential, patents, know-how and technologies, which give competitive advantages, they determine the standard of oil business environment and, pursuing the appropriate licensing policy, actually control the technological development of the industry. Orientation to the level of development of the world's leading oil and gas corporations requires from the company the corresponding development of its own scientific and technical potential, which includes, first of all, personnel potential. The paper considers the problem of staffing of LUKOIL's research and design complex. The paper presents the results of the analysis of the Company's research personnel, emphasizes the importance of strengthening the motivation of the research and design complex employees to improve their qualifications.
