Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok Gas Pipeline

The Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok project involves the development of a 1,800km-long pipeline to supply natural gas to the far eastern region of Russia. The new pipeline is being built by Gazprom in phases with an investment of $11bn. It is the first of its kind gas transmission project in the far eastern region.

Phase I of the project will include the construction of the 1,350km Khabarovsk-Vladivostok segment of the pipeline. In Phase II, the length of the pipeline will be extended to 1,800km to reach Sakhalin. The pipeline will be linked to the planned Yakutia-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok pipeline in Khabarovsk in the future.

On completion of the first phase, the pipeline will carry six billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas per year. After full completion, its capacity will increase to 30bcm/y of natural gas. The first phase of the project is expected to be placed in service in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Construction of the new pipeline is part of the Russian Energy Ministry’s Eastern Gas Programme. The programme aims to develop a natural gas transport and supply system in the far eastern region which forms 60% of the Russian federation. The region currently receives just 6%-7% of natural gas compared to the country average of 60%.

Demand for gas in the region is expected to increase from 5bcm in 2010 to 20bcm in 2015. The project will supply gas to more than 500 locations in the region, including Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krais, Jewish Autonomous Oblast and Sakhalin Oblast.

The pipeline will also help Gazprom export natural gas to the Asia Pacific region. Gazprom plans to capitalise on the growing demand for natural gas in the region. A new liquefied natural gas facility will be constructed in Vladivostok to supply gas to the region.

Construction and infrastructure

The project involves the construction of 14 compressor stations with the 32MW main compressor station being located at Sakhalin. One of the compressor stations will feature two Ural Gas Compressor Units equipped with turbine units, control systems and heat exchangers. A new gas distribution station will be built at Vladivostok as part of the project.

Design works of the pipeline started in 2008 and construction commenced in July 2009. By June 2011, 80% of the pipeline was welded and about 1,100km trenched and covered underground.

Several inter-settlement pipelines are being constructed to supply gas to the Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin Oblast and Khabarovsk Krai regions. About 6,500 workers are involved in the construction of the pipeline.

Resources

The Sakhalin offshore fields and Yakutia fields will provide the natural gas reserves for the new pipeline. During the initial years of operation, it will supply gas from the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 fields. From 2014, it will carry gas from the Sakhalin-3 project.

Contractors for the Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok pipeline

Russia’s Severstal is supplying 100,000mt of pipes for the pipeline through its subsidiary Izhora Pipe Plant.

Neftegazmontazhservis carried out construction of several underwater crossings of the project, including the Khor, Ussuri, Stepanovskaya, Bikin, Bolshaya, Malinovka and Artyomovka underwater crossings.

TMK supplied more than 80,000mt of longitudinal welded pipe and internal protective coating for the project.

Atlas Copco was contracted to supply various construction equipment for the project. The $28m contract included the supply of compressors, dryers, boosters, lighting equipment and a generator.

Pacific Engineering Company carried out geotechnical and geophysical surveys, design of the pipeline route and exploration works.

Gazprom’s design agency, Hyprogascenter provided the general design for the pipeline. Stroygazconsulting and Airspace Technologies were involved in the construction.

Iskra-Turbogaz provided two Ural Gas Compressor Units. AtlanticTransgasSystem provided its Telemechanics System STN-3000 for the automation of the pipeline. Perm Engine Company supplied a gas turbine unit for the main compressor station at Sakhalin. Kuznetsk Metal Constructions supplied metal structures for the project.

STS / RLS Logistics was contracted to provide freight services for transporting pipes to Sakhalin.