OREANDA-NEWS. January 27, 2011.  Gazprom's group of experts led by Alexander Ananenkov Deputy Chairman of the Company's Management Committee continues its business trip to the Far East.

Previously, Gazprom's experts inspected the Sakhalin main compressor station (MCS) construction site at the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas transmission system (GTS). The gas distribution station (GDS) construction site in Vladivostok was visited today.
Alexander Ananenkov moderated a meeting in Vladivostok devoted to the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok GTS construction.
Taking part in the meeting were Yaroslav Golko, Member of the Management Committee – Head of the Investment and Construction Department of Gazprom, heads and experts from Gazprom's specialized subdivisions and subsidiaries: Gazprom invest Vostok, Gazprom mezhregiongaz, Gazprom transgaz Tomsk, Gazprom komplektatsiya, Gazprom promgaz and Gazprom gaznadzor as well as contracting agencies.

It was stressed during the meeting that the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok GTS construction was progressing on schedule. 1,176 kilometers of the 1,350 kilometer-long linepipe have been welded so far as part of the first startup complex. Gas pumping equipment is being installed at the Sakhalin MCS and the foundation has been prepared for a shift workers' camp.

The GDS in Vladivostok and the inter-settlement gas pipeline from this station to the Russky Island with a lateral to CHPP-2 in Vladivostok are being constructed in parallel with the gas transmission system. Horizontal drilling has been accomplished under the Eastern Bosphorus Strait for the main string of the inter-settlement gas pipeline from the GDS in Vladivostok to the Russky Island, while the tunnel diameter is being enlarged for the subsequent laying of the gas pipeline.

Based on the meeting results, specific tasks were given to ensure timely commissioning of the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok GTS first startup complex.

Background

Gazprom's expert groups take regular trips to the Far East. A group is made up of top managers from the Company, its specialized subdivisions, subsidiaries and contracting agencies. The trips are primarily aimed at securing timely execution of the projects for shaping the Unified Gas Supply System in Eastern Russia on the basis of the Company's resource base.

The September 2007 Order by the Russian Federation Industry and Energy Ministry approved the Development Program for an integrated gas production, transportation and supply system in Eastern Siberia and the Far East, taking into account potential gas exports to China and other Asia-Pacific countries (Eastern Gas Program). Gazprom was appointed by the Russian Federation Government as the Program execution coordinator.

The Eastern Gas Program gives priority to the creation and development of the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas transmission system. Launched in July 2009, the GTS construction is targeted at developing gas supplies to the Khabarovsk Krai and the Sakhalin Oblast as well as arranging gas deliveries to the Primorsky Krai. The 1,350-kilometer first startup complex of the gas pipeline with the annual capacity of 6 billion cubic meters is to be brought onstream in the third quarter of 2011.

The total design length of the gas pipeline from the GDS in Vladivostok to the Russky Island with a lateral to CHPP-2 in Vladivostok is some 34 kilometers: more than 15 kilometers on the mainland, some 12 kilometers on the Russky Island and more than 6 kilometers (two strings: main and backup) under the Eastern Bosphorus Strait.

The pipeline commissioning is scheduled for the third quarter of 2011. Gas from the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok GTS will be delivered to CHPP-2 and utilized for heat and power supply of the 2012 APEC Summit facilities. Conversion of CHPP-2 from coal to gas will ensure more reliable power supply of consumers in Vladivostok significantly improving the ecological situation in the city.