Bashneft has developed and started implementing a target programme aimed at improving the reliability of pipelines in 2013–2017. The implementation of the programme is aimed at minimizing the negative environmental impact of Bashneft’s oil production, and at minimizing the loss of products by reducing the number of equipment failures and the accident rate in the pipeline transportation system.

The programme involves upgrading over 1,258 kilometres of pipelines (including the replacement of pipes) and carrying out major repairs to almost 250 kilometres of pipelines within 5 years. The programme also includes installing cathodic protection systems, scraper traps, corrosion monitoring facilities, chemical feeders, as well as taking measures for ensuring the use of modern chemicals, corrosion inhibiting protection, in-line inspection, inspection of underwater pipelines, etc. Overall, in 2013–2017, Bashneft plans to allocate 11.1 billion roubles for the implementation of the programme for improving the reliability of pipelines.

‘The programme is aimed first and foremost at preventing environmental damage that may result from pipeline ruptures caused mainly by corrosion, which is the cause of about 85% of pipeline failures at the fields,’ pointed out Mikhail Stavskiy, Bashneft’s First Vice President for Upstream and Geology. ‘Implementation of the programme will enable Bashneft to further reduce the accident rate; currently, Bashneft has one of the lowest accident rates in the industry.’

Note: In 2012, Bashneft allocated over 1 billion roubles for measures aimed at improving the reliability of the pipeline system in the upstream sector. The measures included upgrading 58.1 kilometres of pipelines and carrying out major repairs to 73.2 kilometres of pipelines.