"Yuzhnaya" and "Korsakov" gas distribution stations on Sakhalin: stringent requirements not only to the contractor, but also to the equipment
11 October 2021
Gasification of the regions is one of the largest social projects in Russia. Within this project, it is planned to build 24,400km of gas pipelines from 2021 till 2025 and create conditions for the gasification of 3,632 communities across the country. The gasification program is being implemented by Gazprom in 67 regions of Russia. Stroytransgaz is one of the active participants in this project. The company is constructing 11 projects across the country.
Fuel supply is most urgent in the Sakhalin region, where many households use coal for heating. During the winter, up to 10 tons of coal is spent to heat one house. The situation in the coal market of the Asia-Pacific region in September 2021 resulted in an increase in prices and an internal shortage of coal, so the gas distribution stations (GDS) Korsakov and Yuzhnaya, which are being built by Stroytransgaz, are one of the most long-awaited facilities on the island. These stations will provide gas to more than 6,500 households and 40 boiler houses and industrial facilities. Work on the construction of the stations should be completed by the end of this year.
The construction sites are very busy today - the enabling phase is complete, the construction sites have been backfilled. Subbases and foundations are now being installed. 11 modules of GDSs has been delivered.
Any construction project on Sakhalin has its specifics due to several factors, including a very high seismicity of the island. Therefore, stringent requirements are imposed not only on Stroytransgaz as a general contractor for the construction of gas distribution facilities, but also on the equipment that will ensure the operation of the stations.
The high-tech equipment for the Yuzhnaya and Korsakov GDSs was manufactured specifically for these projects at one of the leading plants of the Russian oil and gas industry - Oil and Gas Equipment Plant in Saratov. The gas distribution stations are designed and developed to cater for the unique climatic conditions of the Far East region and Sakhalin Island - both have a high seismicity and a thick snow cover in winter.
The stations are equipped with an automatic control system. It will monitor continuously the process variables, automatically control units, systems, process equipment providing gas supply to the gas distribution networks in the required amount and to specifications, as well as continuously protect all the equipment.
Fuel consumption will be measured by special ultrasonic flow transducers calibrated at the world's only factory in Denmark.
All manufactured equipment is certified via the Intergazsert voluntary certification system and is listed in the common Register of Materials and Equipment approved by Gazprom. The production of the gas distribution stations is undergoing a step-by-step audit in accordance with the process flow diagram in front of a Gazprom Gaznadzor’s inspector. Additionally, the equipment is tested in front of Intertek inspectors, an international independent audit company (ex- Moody International).
The gas distribution stations were manufactured under the direct Stroytransgaz supervision whose experts were present at the site personally during the tests and acceptance of the stations. Stroytransgaz will shortly proceed to install the equipment.
Stroytransgaz Gas Construction Vice President A.Y.Orlov: "With 30 years in business, Stroytransgaz has a vast experience in implementation of oil and gas construction projects. Over the time it’s been here, over 17,000 km of pipelines has built and renovated. The project portfolio includes construction of dozens of oil & gas facilities. We appreciate the trust that Gazprom has repeatedly put in us . This is a vital project; thanks to the new gas distribution facilities residents of numerous communities in the regions and infrastructure facilities will be supplied with eco-friendly fuel."
Background:
The gas supply and gasification programs are being implemented in 67 regions of the Russian Federation. This socially important and extensive work is being done in cooperation with the Government of the Russian Federation and local authorities.
In 2019, the Gazprom’s Program of Gasification for the Regions of the Russian Federation involved 66 entities of Russia, 410 gas supply and gasification facilities were under construction, and FEED activities are carried out for 537 projects. 124 facilities about 1,800km long were built. Conditions were put in place for the gasification of 305 communities.
In accordance with the 2021-2025 Gas Supply and Gasification development programs approved by the Chairman of the Gazprom Management Board A.B. Miller and the heads of the entities of the Russian Federation, Gazprom Mezhregiongaz is building inter-community gas pipelines. The construction of distribution networks within communities and the preparation of user to receive gas are to be ensured by the administrations of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation using the funds from all-level treasuries and other funding sources.