In early March, 2019, Caspian Pipeline Consortium has proceeded to preparation of its operation facilities to the spring flood season. During the preparatory work, 200 pipeline valves on the pipeline line section, including 27 at the water crossings and over 1,500 valves at process pipelines of the Pump Stations and Tank Farms.
To prevent floodwater erosion, certain crude pipeline sections, overhead power line towers, power cable lines have been inspected and further reinforced.
At all Consortium’s PSs in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Krasnodar and Stavropol Krais, Republic of Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast, automated fire fighting, industrial and domestic sewage systems and treatment facilities were tested for operability. In particular, storm water drainage systems of the Tank Farms and Pump Stations were inspected, the condition of lightning arresters and grounding means as well as drain tank automated systems was checked.
As part of anti-flood actions, additional preparation of 17 fire trucks was accomplished, operational readiness was ensured of 274 units of specialized vehicles to support emergency response work, 100 units of vehicles for oil collection and re-injection, availability of equipment, resources, materials and sorbents in the required quantities to contain oil spills was ensured.
CPC regularly monitors the condition of the trunk crude pipeline underwater crossings of water barriers and bottomland areas. In particular, water rising in Chernozemelsky channel, Ural Volga-river, Emba-river, Volga, Kuban-river, Manych-river and others, including mountain rivers, is monitored permanently for timely identification of threats to the crude pipeline facilities.
The south of Russia crossed by the CPC pipeline route is among the most flood dangerous regions of the country, therefore, such sections of the pipeline are subject to special scrutiny of the Consortium’s specialists. The river levels in CPC presence regions are currently in the normal condition.
FYI:
CPC Pipeline System is one of the major investment projects in energy sector with participation of foreign capital in the CIS. The length of the Tengiz–Novorossiysk Pipeline is 1,511 km; it transports over two thirds of all Kazakhstan export crude, as well as crude from Russian oil fields, including 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: 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%.