The Russian steel and pipe producer United Metallurgical Company (OMK) has announced that its Novgorod-based pipe producer Vyksa Steel Works (Vyksa) has started the production of large diameter (LD) pipes of 41 mm wall thickness for the Nord Stream pipeline project. The total output of the pipes in question will amount to 5,450 mt.
Vyksa started the production of pipes for the Nord Stream gas pipeline at the end of May 2008, and up to November 2009 is expected to deliver 262,600 mt of pipes of 1,219 mm diameter with external three-layered anti-corrosive coating and internal smooth coating. To date Vyksa has delivered about 170,000 mt of pipes (more than 178 km) with wall thicknesses of 30.9 mm and 34.6 mm and strength class of K60 (X70) for the Nord Stream pipeline.
The LD pipes of 41 mm wall thickness, which is unique for pipes of such diameter and strength grade, will be used for the initial length of both Nord Stream lines, which must withstand the pressure of 220 atm at the point of connection with Portovaya compression station. The pipes are manufactured in accordance with DNV international submarine pipeline standards.
The Nord Stream gas pipeline with length of 1,220 km will link Russia and the European Union via the Baltic Sea. On November 6, 2007, OMK and Nord Stream AG signed the supply contract, according to which it received 25 percent of the total orders for the pipeline project.