The construction of the CS "Krasnodarskaya" has begun.
Wednesday, October 17, 2001
The construction of the CS "Krasnodarskaya" has begun. The construction readiness of the site is about 80%. At the same time, "Kubangazprom" is concerned by the delivery time of technological equipment and, first of all, of the gas treatment unit. V.V. Zinovyev, Director-General of "Kavkaztransgaz", reported that within the 56-kilometer section of the gas pipeline laid through the terrain of Stavropol Territory, the subsidiary of the JSC "Stroitransgaz" had finished construction of the underwater crossing in the river of Rasshevatka using the most ecologically safe method of directional drilling as well as all seven railroad bed and highway crossings. There are 2 more construction spreads at the site awaiting the delivery of the Italian pipes. The construction of the CS "Stavropolskaya" has begun. A.Ya. Bekker, President of the general contractor, the JSC "Stroitransgaz", reported on the course of operations. He said that the most advanced technologies and the unique equipment was used in construction operations including the most powerful in the world horizontal directional drilling unit for building the underwater crossings and the gas-shielded automatic pipe-welding unit. For the first time in practice of oil and gas pipeline laying the method of microtunneling with the employment of the most advanced tunneler was used. A.Ya. Bekker reported that 15 construction spreads were concentrated on the sites, 6 of them being in the mountain area. The specialized enterprises on installation of the crossings, constructing roads and bridges and tunneling are contracted. The operations in the mountain area go at full drive, where 32 anti-landslide works, 2 tunnels and 12 bridges are to be built. The JSC "Stroitransgaz" President, as well as other speakers expressed their concern with regard to the non-availability of pipes. A.Ya. Bekker noted: "We even have the impression that the Italians deliberately delay the pipes delivery. They fear that the operations at the Russian section of the route will be finished yet before the Italian firm finishes laying the sea section of the gas pipeline". He requested that the Chairman of the Government would interfere and assist in resolving the issues related first of all to the delivery of pipes as well as of the technological equipment. Based on the request by M.M. Kasyanov the company President informed the participants at the meeting of the overseas construction projects of the JSC "Stroitransgaz" in Greece and Algeria and the preparatory activities to building the facilities on the territory of Syria, Iraq and India. A.Ya. Bekker called the attention of the Head of Government to yet another problem, which although was not directly related to the meeting agenda but was of vital importance for fuel and power complex of Russia, i.e. the development of the hydrocarbon resources of Sakhalin. The implementation of this project, which is not less important for the country as "Goluboi Potok", has been farmed out to the foreign companies while the Russian contractors have virtually been removed from the project. In response to this statement, the Premier has instructed the appropriate personnel to clarify the situation and report on the results. In his closing address M.M. Kasyanov noted that "Goluboi Potok" is an international scale project and there are some who want to kill it. We won’t allow it. The Russian Premier promised to take measures to resolve the burning problems. "The Russian gas will reach the Turkish shore in 2002. There must be no doubt whatsoever about this", - he stressed. Alexander Kudryavtsev, the JSC "Stroitransgaz" Vice-President informed the Agency for Petroleum Information that the company had finished the consumer gas service line Assaluyah - Kangan within the frameworks of the project "Ighat-3".
