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An Oil Spill Response Drill Was Conducted on the Bank of the Akhtuba River

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On September 23, 2020, CPC-R JSC Central Region and Main Directorate of the RF EMERCOM for Astrakhan Oblast involving RUERS sub-system for Astrakhan Oblast conducted emergency response drills in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain of the Astrakhan Oblast Krasny Yar district. This activity was part of the nationwide drill delivered by the RF EMERCOM in all of the RF constituent entities.

 

The drill ‘Performance of work to contain and collect oil off of water surface’ was delivered at 548 km of the Tengiz-Novorossiysk oil pipeline. According to the drill scenario, the oil spill had been caused by damage to the oil pipeline while performing unauthorized earthwork in the main oil pipeline secure zone. Security service task force and the Emergency Response Station vehicle crew traveled to the spill area. They identified the oil spill from the damaged oil pipeline next to the pipeline crossing at the left bank of the Akhtuba river.

 

Thirty-five employees of CPC and Starstroi LLC took part in the drill at a separate test field while complying with all Covid-19-related sanitary norms. Fifteen vehicles and 3 small-size vessels were involved in the drill. Jointly with EMERCOM, the experts engaged in hands-on drills on containing and mitigating oil spills that included installation of booms, collecting oil off of water surface using skimmers, manual and mechanical collection of contaminated soil. Temporary tanks were deployed for collection of oil.

 

Further, EMERCOM personnel assisted by CPC worked on the improvement of emergency response methods and techniques, as well as those of civil defense. Oil and petroleum products spill prevention and response plans were checked for feasibility; control, communication and alarm systems were checked for reliability. In parallel, EMERCOM delivered their activities associated with emergency response, build-up of manpower and technical resources, arrangement of hands-on action related to delivery of emergency response and other immediate measures while mitigating an emergency.

 

EMERCOM representatives commended preparedness of CPC pipeline operation units, emergency response contractors, CPC operations and dispatcher personnel to potential emergencies. They pointed out prompt and well-orchestrated efforts undertaken by all participants, and availability of all required manpower and resources.

 

For reference.

The CPC pipeline system is one of the largest investment projects with foreign capital in the energy sector in the CIS. The length of Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline is 1,511 km; more than two thirds of all export crude oil from Kazakhstan and crude oil from the Russian fields, including those in the Caspian Region, are transported by this route. CPC Marine Terminal is equipped with three Single Point Moorings (SPM) that allow to load tankers safely at a significant distance offshore, also in poor weather conditions.

CPC Shareholders: Russian Federation (represented by Transneft – 24% and CPC Company – 7%) – 31%; Republic of Kazakhstan (represented by Kazmunaygaz – 19% and Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC – 1.75%) – 20.75%; Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company - 15%, LUKARCO B.V. - 12.5%, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company – 7.5%, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited – 7.5%, BG Overseas Holding Limited - 2%, Eni International N.A. N.V. - 2% and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC – 1.75%.