OREANDA-NEWS. May 25, 2010. JSC Khartsyzsk Tube Works (KhTW), part of Metinvest Group has completed construction of the new line to produce single seam thick-walled large diameter pipes (LDP) made of Х80 grade steel. Total amount of investments made within the framework of the enterprise modernization comprised around UAH 260 mln.

Final stage of construction in 2010 involved commissioning of the new hydraulic press, which was supplied and installed by German UNIWELD Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.KG.This hydraulic test equipment enables testing of tubes within the diameters range of 406 -1422 mm with wall thickness from 6.3  to 40 mm with maximum testing pressure of 300 bar, which determines its universality in tested pipes mix and allows quick set-ups of all mechanisms for production of other pipe sizes requiring minimum time and labor. Previously, in 2009 a new bevel cutting unit was launched and plate bending machine was reconstructed. Commissioning ofthis equipment enabled KhTW to master production of pipes with diameter of 530 mm and wall thickness from 7.9 mm to 19 mm, 12-meter length with one longitudinal seam. Construction of the new line was started in 2006.

"Commissioning of the new production line allows expanding the product mix, feel confident at the world market and compete with the world manufactures as equal", — commented Dmitry Livshits, Director General of KhTW.

Starting from 2007, KhTW operates three process lines at Pipe Electric Welding Shop#2: production line for 1220 and 1420 mm diameter pipes with wall thickness from 9.5 to 29.0 mm with two longitudinal seams (EZTM); production line for 711-1067 mm diameter pipes with wall thickness from 7.1 to 17.5 mm with one longitudinal seam (NKMZ); and production line making 508-1422 mm diameter pipes with wall thickness up to 40.0 mm with one longitudinal seam (Haeusler). All products of the enterprise have been certified according to API, EN standards and the National UkrSEPRO system.

Target purpose of the high strength pipes is construction of high pressure land and underwater gas and oil pipelines. Also, high strength pipes are used in sour service areas, where wall thickness plays a major role.