OAO Stroytransgaz have completed the tests of the Russian onshore section of the Russia – Turkey main gas pipeline within the framework of the “Blue Stream” Project.
Wednesday, November 20, 2002
OAO Stroytransgaz have completed the tests of the Russian onshore section of the Russia – Turkey main gas pipeline within the framework of the “Blue Stream” Project.
In accordance with the requirements of OAO Gazprom, the Client of the Project, as regards the quality of the Project a stress-test method was used in compliance with the European standard Vd TUV Merkblatt Rohrleitungen 1060. The independent experts of the German Technical Supervisory Authority TUV supervised the tests. The tests of the Russian section of the “Blue Stream” Project which runs along the territories of Krasnodar and Stavropol areas were commenced in July this year. All the preparations for the tests were carried out by the IP Belsroytransgaz enterprise, a subsidiary of OAO Stroytransgaz. The specialists of the enterprise were engaged in cleaning of the interior of the pipeline of water, rust and slag with the help of compressor cleaning pigs. The tests proper were carried out by DAO Orgenergogaz. At present at the Russian section of the Russia – Turkey main gas pipeline of the “Blue Stream” Project the works on drying of the gas pipeline and preparation for commissioning are underway. At section km 0-60 adjustment and commissioning works have already been started by supplying gas to the pipeline. The modern technology for testing pipelines by a stress-test method is widely used in Europe. This method in Russia was used for the first time by Stroytransgaz in 1999 at construction of the Yamal – Europe main gas pipeline system. The stress-test method is a hydraulic method of testing of gas pipelines. A pipeline is divided into sections 4 - 8 km long each, the sections are filled with water and the pressure is raised up to 110% of the minimum pipe yield point. When the test pressure is reached it is held during 90 minutes and then the pressure is released to 2 bar. Then the same procedure is repeated for the second time and the pipeline is held under the pressure again during ninety minutes. When the stress-test method is completed the pressure is released by 5-6% and then a leak test of the pipes is carried out by using an ordinary method of control.
