OREANDA-NEWS. The current heating season has not ended yet, but OJSC Chelyabinskgorgaz is already starting preparation for the next autumn and winter. The company has planned additional activities that will enhance reliability of gas-pipeline operations and related facilities at low temperatures.

The main repair works involving disconnection of consumers, albeit for a short time, from gas supply are usually scheduled for summer. This year from May to October specialists of Chelyabinskgorgaz will replace 32 segments of damaged gas pipelines with new pipes. Now next four tie-ins are being added to the plan.

As Andrei Lekanov, managing director of Chelyabinskgorgaz, explains, " ... the plans of major and current repairs of the gas networks in the region center [Chelyabinsk] and in Sosnovsky and Kunashaksky districts are formed in autumn. However, since the wear of gas pipelines in Chelyabinsk has attained almost 60 percent, the authorities supervising the engineering state of gas pipelines and the facilities installed on the pipelines, constantly detect damages and flaws during winter time. Repair of many such damages cannot be postponed till the next year."

It was planned earlier to repair equipment installed at 10 gas control units. Now it is necessary to additionally repair or replace blocking devices and gas valves at the next five gas control units; at four units, upgrade of engineering equipment is required. These measures will ensure reliable operations of gas control units at low temperatures. For the same purpose, heating equipment will be replaced at seven gas control units.

The specialists of Chelyabinskgorgaz have to complete all the activities related to preparation for winter before the onset of subzero temperatures.

Owing to repair and reconstruction works, gas will be supplied uninterruptedly to consumers during the next heating season. This is the main mission of GAZEKS divisions in the regions they serve.