On December 7, 2024, the work on diagnostics of the offshore submarine pipeline (SP) of SPM-1 cargo system was successfully completed at the CPC Marine Terminal. A distinctive feature of this survey was that for the first time the work was performed using a self-propelled controlled smart pig of domestic production.
Before performing the work the smart pig successfully passed all tests at the contractor's production base. After a thorough check done at the test bench in the presence of inspectors from FAI "Russian Maritime Register of Shipping" a permit was issued for the use of an intelligent pig at an existing operational facility.
The work was performed in compliance with the occupational safety, industrial and environmental safety requirements based on the developed and approved Work Execution Plan (WEP), which was also approved by the supervisory authorities.
It is important to note: a significant difference between the type of smart pigs used in the main oil pipelines and the smart pigs used in SPM SP is that the pig moves along the main pipeline due to the oil flow created in line, and in case of offshore pipeline the smart pig moves independently due to the wheel drive.
Previously, foreign-made smart pigs were used for surveying the CPC offshore submarine pipelines.
As part of the import substitution measures for the equipment in service CPC JSC and Technical Research Center Diaprom LLC (manufacturer) jointly carried out significant work on the design and manufacture of own intelligent pig. Experts estimate that the intelligent pig is superior to its foreign counterparts in terms of the technical specifications. The original software was also created.
This intelligent pig, assembled 95% from Russian components, makes it possible to detect geometry defects, delaminations, corrugations, and metal losses. In 2025, a number of in-line inspections with the use of a new intelligent pig will also be conducted.
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The CPC pipeline system is one of the largest projects in the energy sector in the CIS. 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.
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%.