JULY 2015
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World Pipelines
5
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Gazprom and pipe companies to
continue collaboration
The Gazprom Management Committee held a
meeting on innovations in the Russian pipe
industry at the Volga Pipe Plant headquarters.
Taking part in the meeting was the Deputy
Chairman of the Gazprom Management
Committee, Management Committee Members,
as well as heads and representatives from
Gazprom’s specialised structural units and a
number of subsidiaries, the Pipe Producers
Association, United Metallurgical Company OMK,
Pipe Metallurgical Company TMK, Chelyabinsk
Pipe Rolling Plant, Severstal and other companies.
It was stressed that the longstanding
co-operation with Gazprom allowed domestic
companies to considerably upgrade the pipe
manufacturing segment, mastering new types of
pipes, including those unparalleled globally. The
work done resulted in, among other things,
steady reduction in the number of imported
pipes within Gazprom’s procurement structure.
Gazprom’s commitment to bringing
innovations into widespread use is reflected in
updated programmes for sci-tech co-operation
between Gazprom and leading pipe companies.
Over 60 innovative R&D and technology
activities will be performed within these
programmes until 2021, with a focus on
developing import substituting products.
By that time it is planned to set up the
production of large diameter pipes from
X100-X120 steels for extra-high pressure gas
pipelines, new generation threaded pipes
designed for extremely harsh oil and gas field
development conditions as well as pipes for
offshore production. In addition, the pipe
companies will launch the production of various
shut-off valves and well equipment for import
substitution.
The meeting participants also addressed the
issue of applying formula-based pricing for pipe
products. A three year experience of using this
mechanism has proven its efficiency. In addition,
the work on improving the formulas and adapting
them to the current market conditions should
continue.
At the end of the meeting, tasks were given
with the aim of advancing the fruitful
co-operation with the Russian pipe
manufacturing industry in order to supply
Gazprom’s promising projects with new types of
pipe products.
TransCanada: PRGT support
TransCanada Corp. says it has reached project agreements with three more
First Nations in northern British Columbia to build a pipeline across the
province to a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal on the coast.
The 900 km Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline would
deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson’s Hope to the proposed
Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward,
near Prince Rupert.
The latest agreements are with the Doig River First Nation, Halfway
River First Nation and Yekooche First Nation. TransCanada has previously
reached four other agreements with Lake Babine Nation, Nisga’a Lisims
Government, Gitanyow First Nation and Kitselas First Nation. Specifics of
the agreements were not announced, but TransCanada said they provide
for annual legacy payments over the commercial life of the PRGT pipeline
plus benefits upon signing and at other milestones.
In May, B.C. Premier Christy Clark said the province had reached an
agreement in principle with Pacific NorthWest LNG, owned in majority by
Malaysia’s Petronas, for the CAN$36 billion project on B.C.’s northwest
coast. But members of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation in northwestern
British Columbia have rejected a CAN$1.15 billion offer from Malaysia’s
Petronas to build the LNG terminal on Lelu Island, because of concerns
over the project’s potential impact on neighbouring Flora Bank, a marine
ecosystem immediately adjacent to Lelu Island.
Pipeline project agreements are part of a comprehensive approach to
working with First Nations on LNG opportunities, including developing skills
training, employment and involving First Nations in developing business
opportunities.
Greece worried it might be excluded from
TurkStream
Athens is concerned that it may be excluded from the Gazprom-
backed construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline as Slovakia has
proposed an alternative route for Russian gas to Europe.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian Prime
Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow and proposed a plan that would
transfer gas from the Turkish border through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary
and Slovakia, thereby bypassing Greece.
Slovakia’s proposal was met with the approval of Hungary, which
has recently signed a declaration of intent stating that the pipeline
would pass through Greece. The same declaration was signed by Serbia,
Turkey and FYROM.
Moscow needs the approval of the European Commission on the
exact route of the pipeline. Construction company Saipem will
commence construction on the first four sections at the end of the
month.
In addition, the Turkish Stream has been renamed TurkStream.
The announcement made by Slovakia’s PM Fico has raised questions
where exactly the Turkish Stream pipeline will go to after entering
Turkey.
In June, Natural Gas Europe pointed to the clashing gas hub
ambitions of Bulgaria and Greece. Both EU member states border
Turkey.
