Termokarstovoye: Winter, the season for pipelines
Voice-over Exporting the hydrocarbon produced at Termokarstovoye depends on the construction of 2 pipelines. The first one, a gas pipeline, will be connected to the existing Siberian gas export network. A second pipeline will convey the condensates to the Purovsky treatment plant of Novatek.
Interview “When we start the design of export pipelines, we survey the pipeline route, we check the landscape of this region, we pay attention to the lakes, to nature, to save animals and the forest in this region. The pipeline route is very difficult because we have more than 100 rivers and small rivers along this route of pipeline. We decided to construct 4 ground-river crossings with bi-directional drilling, and small rivers will be passed by a standard method of pipeline laying.”
Voice-over The swampy nature of the terrain makes access to the site difficult. To overcome this, Total and Novatek are condensing the pipeline construction phase within the 3 coldest months of the year, when operators can use the temporary winter roads built along the pipeline trajectory. At this time of year, temperatures below -35°C and violent winds are the only constraints to the work in progress.
Interview “Our plan is to construct our 2 export pipelines during 2 winter seasons. We prepare the delivery of materials and construct about 90 km of pipeline during the first season, and the other distance will be constructed in the second season by winter.”
Voice-over To achieve the objectives, a minute preparation of the equipment is essential before going to the construction site. These materials and machines—such as this horizontal drilling machine for river crossing - were chosen for their resistance to the extreme temperature variations, while assembly and welding techniques adapted to the Siberian conditions ensure the reliability of the pipelines.
Interview “During the call for tender we searched a lot of companies, but we decided to invite only one company which constructed a lot of pipelines for Novatek facilities. This company has excellent experience in this region.”