Gazprom has launched the construction of the most difficult section along the Bovanenkovo – Ukhta gas trunkline system – a submerged crossing via the Baidarata Bay.

1,219 mm steel pipes being used for the submerged crossing construction have 27 mm wall thickness and are designed for 120 atm pressure. The pipes were made and encased in concrete by domestic companies. All the marine operations are also being effected by a Russian company.

Laying gas pipes with such technical parameters in the Baidarata Bay remarkable by its specific environment will be the first project of this kind not only in Russia but also in the world practice.

Background:

The Baidarata Bay is a gulf in the southern Kara Sea, situated between the continental coast and the Yamal Peninsula.

In January 2002, the Gazprom Management Committee identified the Yamal Peninsula as a region of the Company’s strategic interest. The commercial development of Yamal fields will increase local gas production to 250 bcmpa. Accessing the Yamal is of utter importance for the purpose of ensuring gas production growth.

The Cenomanian-Aptian deposits of the Bovanenkovo field are a paramount development target on the Yamal. It is anticipated to increase the projected gas production at the Bovanenkovo field from current 115 bcmpa to 140 bcmpa in the long-term. In order to deliver the extracted gas to the UGSS, it is necessary to build a 2,451-km-long gas transmission network including a new 1,100-km-long transmission corridor from Bovanenkovo to Ukhta.

In October 2006, the Gazprom Management Committee reviewed the progress in compiling the Investment Rationale for the pre-development of the Bovanenkovo field on the Yamal Peninsula, and for gas transportation. The Committee ordered to initiate the investment stage of the Bovanenkovo oil and gas condensate field development and gas main network construction.

Gazprom’s core business units were tasked to ensure the commissioning in the 3rd quarter of 2011 of the first startup complexes (rated at least at 15 bcmpa of gas) intended for the pre-development of the Cenomanian-Aptian deposits of the Bovanenkovo field as well as of the Bovanenkovo–Ukhta gas trunkline system.

By 2011 the Baidarata Bay is planned to see the construction of first two lines    (72-km-long each) of the submerged crossing at the Bovanenkovo – Ukhta gas trunkline.

The technical parameters of pipes used in the construction are unique for the Russian industrial sector. The production and concreting of these pipes have been developed by domestic companies on Gazprom request.