The Kasimovskoye UGS – Voskresensk CS gas trunkline has been commissioned today in the Voskresensk District, Moscow Oblast.

The celebrations were attended by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, representatives of Moscow and Moscow Oblast authorities, heads of Gazprom transgaz Moscow, Gazprom UGS and contracting companies.

“We are commissioning this pipeline before the winter season begins. Moscow and its suburbs annually consume 45 billion cubic meters. The bulk of gas is consumed in winter. Taking into account considerable volumes of gas supplies to the region, spells of extremely cold weather brought about the maximum loading of gas pipelines.

Capable of transmitting up to 130 million cubic meters, the Kasimovskoye UGS – Voskresensk CS trunkline will provide consumers with additional volumes of gas, thus entirely eliminating this problem. The trunkline will provide highly reliable and uninterrupted gas supply to Moscow and its suburbs,” said Alexey Miller.

Background:

During the 2005–2006 winter period, the coldest one in the last few years, gas pressure at separate gas distribution stations of Gazprom transgaz Moscow (100 per cent subsidiary of Gazprom) dropped down to 8 Ata versus the design pressure of 50 Ata. Gas velocity in pipelines achieved 60 meters per second versus the technologically permissible 25 meters per second.

Owing to the maximum daily gas withdrawal from the Kasimovskoye and Uvyazovskoye UGS facilities (aggregate volume of active gas in UGS facilities averages 10 billion cubic meters – equal to the gas consumption volume in Moscow during cold periods), the Kasimovskoye UGS – Voskresensk CS gas pipeline will enable to additionally supply up to 130 million cubic meters of natural gas per day during the autumn/winter period.

Stretching 204 kilometers, the 1,220 millimeter gas trunkline has the design pressure of 55 Ata (5.4 MPa) and the annual throughput capacity of 2.7 billion cubic meters. The trunkline comprises two compressor stations, Tuma CS and Voskresensk CS, and one gas metering station – Kasimov GMS.

The gas pipeline was constructed between 2005 and 2009. Major challenges were faced during the construction process, for instance, crossing through various water bodies including the Oka River, as well as taking of every possible precaution when constructing the pipeline through the Meshchera national park. As a result, 16 underground crossings were laid under rivers, 7 – under streams, 6 – under railways and 79 under highways. In addition, the existing Tuma and Voskresensk compressor stations were retrofitted with no interruption.