September 30, 2014. Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK), ChTPZ Group, and Kazakhstan’s KazTransOil signed a memorandum on scientific and technological cooperation at the 11th Russia-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, today. The memorandum was signed by MMK Director-General Pavel Shilyayev, ChTPZ Group DG Vitaly Sadykov, and KazTransOil DG/Chairman of the Board Kairgeldy Kabyldin.

The parties agreed to exchange technical information and conduct meetings on a regular basis in order to improve their pipe produce. The document also specifically focuses on the fact that the overarching goal of this scientific and technological cooperation is to reduce the environmental impact of hydrocarbon transportation. In order to define and set the new pipe produce quality criteria, the parties intend to use their own technological, scientific, and intellectual potential, and to employ specialized research institutes and members of the scientific and expert community.

‘One of the main reasons the memorandum was signed was the development of unified norms within the Customs Union and ensuring reliable and environmentally safe transportation of hydrocarbons. We are willing to coordinate information exchange and to build up on our tri-lateral scientific and technological cooperation so that our joints efforts result in elaboration of new pipe produce quality criteria and so that we all meet the strictest environmental requirements,’ Shilyayev said.