Gazprom and Russian producers of pipes and steel sign scientific and technical cooperation programs
RELEASE
Release
Two scientific and technical cooperation programs for the period 2016 through 2021 were signed today at the Gazprom headquarters, with one program inked by Gazprom, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, and TMK, and the other by Gazprom, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, and Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant.
Pavel Shilyaev, Director General of Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, Oleg Aksyutin, and Sergey Chikalov, Deputy Director General for Technical Sales and Innovations of TMK
The programs are aimed to supply Gazprom with innovative, highly reliable pipe products and to enhance the economic efficiency of the construction and operation of natural gas production, transmission and processing facilities.
Under the programs, it is planned to set up the production of flat products and pipes using high-strength steel up to K90 (X120); steel with enhanced resistance to CO2 environments and stress-corrosion; and steel that makes pipelines tolerant to a wide temperature range.
Pavel Shilyaev, Director General of Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, Oleg Aksyutin, and Alexander Grubman, Director General of Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant
The programs also stipulate the development of new construction materials, including for gas liquefaction and underwater production projects. In addition, the documents are intended to create information systems with the purpose of helping monitor the technical condition of pipes during the production stage and throughout the entire lifecycle of pipelines and to optimize construction and operation processes.
According to the programs, Gazprom will provide organizational and consulting support, while Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, TMK, and Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant will perform relevant R&D and engineering activities.
Background
In December 2014, Gazprom and Russia's leading pipe producers signed the 2015–2020 scientific and technical cooperation programs. The documents defined the priority areas of cooperation in the development and production of new types of pipe products and other equipment for Gazprom. In October 2016, the programs were updated.
Gazprom has been interacting with pipe companies under scientific and technical cooperation programs since 2000. Thanks to this form of collaboration, Gazprom has almost achieved full import substitution for pipe products.