On 5-9 December 2022, representatives of the
Companies-Shareholders of Caspian Pipeline Consortium visited Tengiz Pump
Station (Republic of Kazakhstan) and Astrakhan Pump Station (Russian
Federation). The said PSs are the backbone for increasing the throughput
capacity of CPC crude pipeline system under the implementation of the
Debottlenecking Program (DBNP). The main purpose of the visit consisted in
checking the work progress on the DBNP sites and assessing their readiness to
commissioning.
On 6 December, representatives of Transneft,
KazMunayGas, Chevron and ExxonMobil corporations, Eni visited Tengiz PS. When
they walked around the station, they were shown the DBNP facilities at the
stage of completed construction, including the spring-loaded pressure relief
valves (SPRV) drainage tank site, expanded through construction of new crude
oil quantity and quality measurement system (LACT), a new pressure control
station (PCS). The representatives of CPC Shareholder Companies got acquainted
with the new booster pump house (BPH), which had passed the comprehensive
testing in November 2022. The mainline
pump house (MPH) was also demonstrated, the gradual replacement and
comprehensive testing of new mainline pump units (MPU) in various operating
modes are currently in progress in the building. The Shareholder
representatives assessed the degree of readiness of the new tanks (SVRFT-20000)
hydrotested not long ago.
The results of the walk-through were reviewed in
the Administration building at Tengiz PS with participation of the DBNP team
and CPC Operations Department representatives. The Shareholder representatives
assessed the high degree of readiness of the new DBNP facilities. The DBNP team
leadership confirmed the intent to notify the Shareholders before the end of
2022 of the mechanical readiness of CPC pipeline system for increase pumping
volumes. The Shareholders representatives were also shown the existing and
future work plans for all DBNP facilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan and
Russian Federation, the plans were discussed with them.
On 8 December, representatives of Transneft,
KazMunayGas and Chevron corporation visited Astrakhan PS. When they walked
around the station, they were shown the completed DBNP facilities, which had
passed all necessary tests, including the new Indoor switchgear building (ISG),
Packaged Transformer Substation (PTS) building and Potable water treatment unit
(PWTU). The following facilities were also shown: mud strainers site, cut-off
valve site, variable frequency drives (VFD) in operation and a new mainline
pump house. The Shareholder representatives were not only impressed by the new
equipment, but also by the high quality of the work done and the improvement of
the new site of Astrakhan PS. CPC Operations Department’s representatives
commented on the positive aspects of the VFD technology implementation at the PS
- smooth start and stop of the pump units, smooth switch from one pumping mode
to another, resistance to voltage fluctuations and power saving.
The results of the walk-through of Astrakhan PS
were reviewed in the Administration building in VELESSTROY construction camp
with participation of the DBNP team and CPC Operations Department’s
representatives. The Shareholder representatives discussed the expected
timeline on receiving a permit from the governmental authorities to put new
facilities of Astrakhan PS into operation and expressed their gratitude to CPC
team for the work done to ensure the PS readiness for an increase of the
pumping volumes. The DBNP team
leadership pointed out that the early and safe commissioning of the new section
of Astrakhan PS had been provided for by the efforts of an ad hoc working group
which had facilitated prompt decision making directly at the facility.
In the course of the meeting held in the presence
of the Consortium’s Shareholder representatives, CPC-R and VELLESTROY employees
were awarded for their contribution in development of the Safety Culture. The
Shareholders noted the high involvement of CPC Management in assuring safe
working environment at the Company’s facilities.
For
information:
CPC Pipeline
System is one of the major investment projects with foreign capital in energy
sector in the CIS. The length of the Tengiz – Novorossiysk pipeline is 1,511
km. This route transports over two-thirds of all Kazakhstan export crude, as
well as crude from Russian oil fields, including those in the Caspian Region.
CPC Marine Terminal is equipped with three Single Point Moorings (SPM) that
allow to load tankers safely at a significant distance offshore, also amid poor
weather conditions.
CPC
Shareholders: Federal Agency for State Property Management represented by
Transneft (trust management) – 24%, CPC Company – 7%, KazmunayGas – 19%,
Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC – 1.75%, 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. S.ar.l. – 2% and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC – 1.75%.