The assembling of a finishing center meant for OCTG production is nearly complete at Pervouralsk New Pipe Plant (part of ChTPZ Group) by now. Over 50% of the machinery got assembled already, while the startup and commissioning have been scheduled for the first quarter of 2009.

The plant has been working on its Finishing Center since March 2007; the project is expected to result in a new OCTG facility capable of producing tubing strings, casings, and O&G pipelines. The center will comprise a coupling unit, a thermal treatment unit, a pipe-end upset unit, a pipe control unit, and a threading unit. The total cost of the project has been estimated at ?122m.

The center’s coupling unit has already been fitted with four coupling machines, two washers, two stamping machines, an AGV system, two Linsinger saws, and some special machinery meant for the application of anti-scuff zinc coating. The installation process is supervised by DEMAG, the center’s major equipment supplier.

In addition, over 2,000 tons of equipment has been delivered to the thermal treatment facility. So far, SMS Meer furnaces, the chilling sprayer, the tempering bath, and part of the AVG system have already been assembled. This machinery makes it possible to manufacture the most durable tubing strings and oil and gas pipes that meet all the maintenance centers and O&G enterprises’ demands.

The threading facility’s AVG system and the coupling unit are still being assembled at the moment, while the hydraulic press is nearly complete. In addition, the equipment meant for the pipe control unit and the pipe-end upset unit keeps coming in.

Once the finishing center has been launched, Pervouralsk New Pipe Plant will be capable of making over 300,000 tons of oil country tubular goods a year, which means the plant will retain its share of the market and will make its goods more competitive. A better assortment of goods will be provided as well.