Stroytransgaz Finishes Welding of Saudi Arabian SHBAB-2
Saturday, June 07, 2008
PJSC Stroytransgaz has completed welding work for the new SHBAB-2 oil pipeline. The facility, 217 kilometers long and 30 inches in diameter, is part of a project to increase the transmission capacity of the Sheiba-Abqaiq (SHBAB-1) oil pipeline in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi state oil company Saudi Aramco is the customer for the project, which is being realized on EPC terms.
A large portion of the welding was done with a CRC-Evans automatic welding unit. The quality of welded joints was tested with a unit that uses automatic ultrasound control, delivering results quickly and providing high accuracy where defects in the welded joints are revealed. Modern welding technologies and quality control have enabled Stroytransgaz to make significant increases in the pace of welding and to ensure the high quality of its welding work.
The SHBAB-1 oil pipeline (640 kilometers long, diameter of 46 inches) runs from the Shaybah field in the Rub al-Khali desert on the border with the United Arab Emirates to a refinery in Abqaiq, 70 kilometers from Dammam in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.
Additional information
Under the terms of the contract for the new oil pipeline, Stroytransgaz will assemble five valve units with surge relief skids and launching and receiving stations, leak detection, cathodic protection and electrical systems. It will also make improvements in the SHBAB-1, adding 21 units for surge relief skids and leak detection system.
The scope of work that Stroytransgaz will carry out includes building storage facilities for chemical reagents (DRA) and biocides for the operating GOSP-2 refinery, located at the Shaybah field. Work on the Abqaiq pumping station will include two hot taps and assemblage of two valve units.
This is the first large project that a Russian construction company has undertaken to build facilities for Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry. Stroytransgaz won a tender for the contract in March 2007, confirming again the world market’s recognition of the experience and qualifications of Russian specialists in this field.
