Atasu-Alashankou crude oil pipeline reaches its full capacity

On the eve of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan KazTransOil JSC and Kazakhstan-China Pipeline LLP have put into operation two pump stations, PS No.8 and PS No.10 in Karaganda and Almaty oblasts.

The new stations located at the export Atasu-Alashankou pipeline were designed to bring the pipeline to its full capacity, 20 million tons per year.

The owner of the Atasu-Alashankou crude oil pipeline is Kazakhstan-China Pipeline LLP, the joint venture of the RK national operator of the trunk line, KazTransOil JSC, and the Chinese company CNODC. Starting from the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline launch in 2006 till the present time 52.1 million tons of oil have been transported through it to the Heavenly Empire. The capacity of the pipeline increased from 2.2 million tons in 2006 to 10.4 million tons in 2012.

Atasu-Alashankou pipeline is the part of the total system of Kazakhstan-China crude oil pipelines, which is constructed in two phases. Within the first phase Kenkiyak-Atyrau (2003) and Atasu-Alashankou (2006) pipelines have been constructed. Execution of the second phase includes the duplication of the existing throughput capacity of the system and is conducted in compliance with Framework Agreement of Full Scale Cooperation development in the Field of Oil and Gas between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China dated 17 May 2004.

As told by Mairambai Kozhanov, Chief Engineer – First Deputy Director of the East Branch of KazTransOil JSC, at the solemn ceremony of commissioning of two PS, commissioning of new production facilities will increase throughput capacity of Atasu-Alashankou pipeline towards the People’s Republic of China from 12 million tons per year to 20 million tons in the next year.

It is to be noted that along with economic importance the launch of new PS has a social component, having created 124 new working places at the production. Residents of nearby settlements received the preferential right of employment. The whole team of PS No.8 took part in pump stations opening festival. Employees did not hide the joy of prospects they received thanks to the appearance in the region of the new facility. One of those employees was a native Agadyr resident Yermek Zeydin, technological equipment repair engineer. He is only 21 years, but, despite the relatively young age, the young worker is ready to help his extended family and builds bold plans for the future.

– Last summer I have graduated from the technological college under Karaganda State Technical University, where I studied under the state grant and obtained specialty “Oil and gas storage and transportation”, - Yermek Zeydin told. – And I was lucky to get a job according to my specialty here, at PS No.8, nearby my native Agadyr. I got included in the program of KazTransOil, according to which locals are employed at the station. I can say that not all my fellow students were able to find a job in their degree field. And I have a chance to fulfil myself in my profession. I like our team very much, living conditions in the camp and, of course, salaries are fair. I plan to build a new house and, of course, to marry. What can I say, from now on I am the eligible bachelor in Agadyr! – Yermek laughs.

Naturally, not all staff of stations was formed of locals. Many specialists, especially engineers with the required qualification and education, came from other regions to work on a rotational schedule.

Also Mairambai Kozhanov stated that prior to launch of new stations all newly hired PS employees have passed appropriate training and got the needed practice at other facilities. By the new PS opening the whole team was ready to work, has got the required work permits and started fulfilling their duties at once.

Kazakhstan-China Pipeline LLP financed the construction of pump stations. Works had been conducting within the year, actual expenses were (without VAT): for PS No.8 – 9.3 billion tenge, for PS No.11 – 11.6 billion tenge. The facilities were equipped with modern automated systems of dispatcher monitoring and control (SCADA), commercial accounting of electricity (Automatic system for commercial accounting of power consumption), and fire and gas alarm system.

-Due to successful completion of the project, on behalf of our company, I would like to appreciate the assistance rendered by leaders of various levels in the governments of two countries, management of KazMunaiGas JSC, shareholders, – Guo Yi, General Director of Kazakhstan-China Pipeline LLP said, – Also I would like to say special thanks to companies that took part in engineering and construction and assembly works. Especially this refers to general contractors, OGCC KazStroyService JSC and CPPE Kazakhstan LLP, whose strong contribution and achievements in work brought us to the desired result.

Several sub-contractors were involved in construction of PS, including the Kazakh companies. The pump station, control room, fire station, diesel power supply station, evaporation facility, administration buildings, canteen – all these facilities are included in the complex. The newest technologies used in industry have been laid to the station already at the design stage. Special attention as paid to safety of the facility – both at the construction stage and in respect of further operation.

Moreover, in the course of the construction the company followed the order of the head of the state, Nursultan Nazarbayev, given in the Letter to people of Kazakhstan – “to create not only new working places, but provide a possibility of obtaining new professions, required even in crisis conditions.”

It is to be noted that KazTransOil JSC year on year implements large projects not only fulfilling its obligations, but achieving successful completion of any initiatives. This is annual stable increasing of indicators of oil turnover and net profit, obtaining of a status of the crude oil pipeline national operator of the Republic of Kazakhstan, successful participation in People’s IPO program, engaging of new partners in the field of rendering oil transportation services and many more.

Opening of two PS on the eve of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan confirms the reputation of KazTransOil JSC as a reliable and perspective partner that manages priorities well and stably fulfills its main duty – uninterrupted and timely transportation of oil to consumers.