OREANDA-NEWS. June 11, 2009. Two large-scale events – the ceremony of laying the keel of the bug barge and putting the offshore fixed platform into operation took place at the largest Russian enterprise – the Krasnye Barrikady shipbuilding yard.

Taking account of the fact that the barge and offshore fixed platform will operate on the Turkmen section of the Caspian Sea coast it can be stated that Astrakhan shipbuilders have joined in the work on technology modernization of the process of developing offshore hydrocarbon deposits that is a key trend in the ongoing comprehensive programme on fuel and energy sector development

Alexander Zhilkin, Governor of the Astrakhan Oblast took part in the ceremonies. The high-ranking official expressed deep gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for initiating and supporting the new projects of traditional Turkmen-Russian co-operation.

The barge that will leave the moorage of the Krasnye Barrikady shipbuilding yard in a few months has the unique characteristics. Putting the barges of such a high tonnage into operation will considerably enhance the material and technical base of exploration crews. The similar activities have never been carried out in the water area of the Caspian Sea before and only a few barges similar to this one are used for offshore oil and gas production across the world.

The unique barge is yet to overcome the way – from keel-laying to launching. The other wonder of engineering thought has already received the certificate of conformity and has set out on a journey to the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.

The LAM-B offshore fixed platform is designed to extract oil, gas oil mixture, refine it from impurities and separate oil from gas.

The platform has two bearing blocks, attachment frame and four superstructure modules, which will be transported to the point of destination by special barges.

A few universally recognized shipbuilding quality standards are applied today across the world and customers can choose any of them. The new platform is made in compliance with German Lloyd’s Standards that meet the high-level requirements. This vividly evidences that advancing along the path of fundamental technology modernization of the basic sectors of the national economy Turkmenistan gives preference to most advanced and safest technologies.

It is a remarkable fact that under the conditions of global financial and economic crisis the dynamically developing economy of Turkmenistan, which applies innovative technologies, helps hundreds of foreign companies to ‘stay afloat’. Thus, the Astrakhan shipbuilders cooperate with over 50 companies from 20 countries worldwide to fill the orders of oil and gas industry workers.