Gazprom and ChelPipe to produce pipes for offshore projects
Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Andrey Komarov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ChelPipe, signed at the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi (February 15 – 16, 2018) a roadmap for the development and batch production of pipes for offshore projects.
In accordance with the document, ChelPipe will adopt the technology to produce pipes from the 25Cr Super Duplex steel and the UNS N06625 nickel alloy. Thanks to these materials, the equipment used in offshore environments will acquire such characteristics as ultra-high strength and corrosion resistance. No pipes of this kind are produced in Russia at the moment.
It is planned to deliver, test and certify prototypes under Gazprom’s requirements in the course of 2018. The pipes will be used in the manufacturing of domestic equipment for subsea production systems, including manifolds and X-mas trees.
Russian R&D organizations are currently developing subsea production systems (SPS) commissioned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade with support from Gazprom.
The first SPS prototypes are expected to be presented in 2019, with comprehensive testing slated for 2020.
Background
In October 2016, Gazprom and ChelPipe signed the roadmap to set up the production of new-generation pipes. Pursuant to the document, ChelPipe will develop technologies for Gazprom’s needs to produce longitudinally welded large-diameter pipes (LDP) from conventional as well as high-strength Х80–Х120 steel and pipeline fittings, using laser welding. This method in the LDP series production will be applied for the first time in the global practice.
According to the roadmap, the first batches of serially produced new-generation pipes up to 1,420 mm in diameter and made of steel in grades up to X80 are expected to be delivered to Gazprom in 2020–2021. It is estimated that the Company will need up to 150,000 tons of such pipes per year. Moreover, in 2022–2024 it is planned to produce the prototypes of high-strength pipes adapted for ultra-high pressure from X100 and X120 steel, as well as pipeline fittings, using laser welding.
Gazprom ensures reliable operation of the world’s longest gas transmission system and builds cutting-edge gas pipelines. The new-generation pipes will take this work to a cardinally new technological level. I am confident that due to the joint efforts of professionals from Gazprom and ChelPipe the planned targets will be achieved,” said Alexey Miller.
“The unique laser welding technology ensures high efficiency and, most importantly, environmental sustainability of production that fully complies with the White Metallurgy principles. The optical fiber laser applied in that technology was developed in Russia. Its use in manufacturing large-diameter pipes at Vysota 239, the modern production facility of ChelPipe, means supporting the innovation potential of the domestic machine-building industry,” said Andrey Komarov.
