On 30 September, the zero day of the 9th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum, which starts at ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre on 1 October, was held the round table discussion New Gas Industry Projects Deserve New Products From Russian Manufacturers.
The event was organised by Gazprom, the Scientific and Industrial Valve Manufacturers Association and Information and Analytical Centre. The round table brought together manufacturers and consumers of pipeline valves for the gas industry.
A report on the problems associated with the use of pipeline valves at the facilities of Gazprom was delivered by Sergey Tarasov, chief technologist of the core-business department of Gazprom.
The speaker said that at present, a large number of pipeline valves of various types are operated at the facilities of the Gazprom main transmission facilities.
As of 1 January, 2018, Gazprom used 524 thousand units of fittings and valves. Over the past 5 years, the range of valves, fittings and pipes has increased by 10%. This figure was achieved thanks to the construction of new investment facilities of the energy company, such as the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta, Ukhta-Torzhok gas pipelines, the North European Gas Pipeline and other reconstruction and construction facilities.
The representative of Gazprom said that 5 years ago, a lot of defective valves were found during the work. In the period from 2011 to 2016, Gazprom annually dismantled an average of 6.5 thousand units (or 1.3% of all installed valves). The main reasons for dismantling were leaks, loss of technical characteristics of housing elements and seals and other defects.
But in the last 2 years the number of dismantled valves has decreased. Positive dynamics has been achieved due to better monitoring of the technical condition of pipeline valves and introduction of the coefficient of technical health. In some cases, during the inspection of new products coming from suppliers of pipe valves and fittings, Gazprom has found manufacturers who systematically allow defects. Gazprom has ceased cooperation with those companies.