In the second half of September 2024, practical drill of the CPC-R/K telecom teams on recovery of the backbone cable of the CPC fiber optical communication line (FOCL) was held in the Stavropol Krai. The telecom engineers of the CPC Western, Central and Eastern Regions, as well as Marine Terminal took part in the event. Two mobile optical cable measurement laboratories, optical fiber fusion units, satellite communication and other equipment were engaged for the drill.
According to the script, at KP 1094 of the CPC oil pipeline near the FOCL/earth road crossing, the optical cable “was damaged”. The CPC pipeline control and communication systems were switched over to the backup satellite communication channel.
The CPC security and technical specialists, who had arrived at the spot, found out that the conventional emergency was caused by an unauthorized excavator earthwork of a third party in the FOCL exclusion zone at the earth motor road crossing.
The specialists reported the commencement of FOCL emergency recovery to the Shift Supervisor of PS-5 located in the Izobilnensky District of the Stavropol Krai. With the help of a satellite complex, voice communication with OCC (Operations Control Center, Marine Terminal) and Moscow Office was checked and adjusted, and email dispatch capability was provided.
The drill participants practiced troubleshooting by the method of permanent cable insert installation. Fiber fusion started with recovery of critically important services. First of all, the fibers providing operation of the data transmission network for the SCADA and telephony dispatch monitoring and control system, so that the dispatcher could resume normal CPC pipeline control mode.
Owing to such regularly held drills, all CPC telecom engineers acquire the required experience of FOCL cable repairs in actual field conditions. Upon completion of the event, a detailed debriefing was conducted.
It should be added that the CPC Telecom Service ensures uninterrupted operation of various CPC communication elements — communication cable infrastructure, data transmission process networks for SCADA and security systems, telephone and radio communication process systems etc.
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CPC Pipeline System is one of the major projects 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 oil, and 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.
CPC Shareholders: Russian Federation – 24 %, IC CPC Company (LLC) – 7%, NC KazMunayGas JSC – 19%, Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC – 1.75%, Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company – 15%, Lukoil International GmbH - 12.5%, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company– 7.5%, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited– 7.5%, BG Overseas Holdings Limited– 2%, Eni International N.A. N.V. S.ar.l. – 2% and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC – 1.75%.