Emergency Priority Actions for Security and Improvement of Exploitation Conditions for Gas Transportation Systems in CA

Project Description

The project focuses on improving safety and security of gas supplies through the territories of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan related to supply of gas to the cities of Bishkek and Almaty as well as other communities on the route of the pipeline.

During the Soviet era, plans were made to construct a parallel pipeline from the western border of Kyrgyzstan to the eastern border of Kyrgyzstan, transmitting gas through a 1020mm pipeline running in parallel with the existing single720mm line. After perestroika, the project did not proceed and many of the pipes were distributed elsewhere.
KyrKazGaz is a recently formed joint venture company linking KyrgyzGaz with KazTransGas focusing on improving the gas transmission network from the western border of Kazakh territory to Almaty including passing through the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. The joint venture is currently investing in and implementing improvements to the existing 720 mm pipeline on the Kyrgyz territory.

EuropeAid has financed the current project managed by WYG International Limited in association with Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Russian gas transmission specialist companies which will carry out a study on the rehabilitation of the 1020mm pipeline partly constructed at the end of the Soviet era. Tests have been made on the quality of the pipes already stored in Kyrgyzstan or installed along the pipeline route. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently considering a credit towards the cost of this pipes and KyrKazGaz is seeking other sources of IFI finance.

There are risks related to gas security associated with the age and condition of the two 720mm lines running from Sokoluk to Birlik and, to a lesser extent, the operating performance of the Sokoluk compressor station.

In relation to the existing 720mm pipelines, the much-deteriorated condition of the original pipes is evidenced by the fact that part of the line had to be taken out of service. It is to be expected that the remainder of the line (lacking proper maintenance and corrosion protection measures) may well be approaching the same critical situation.

The issue to be addressed with KyrKazGaz is the optimum techno-economic solution for ensuring safety and security of supplies to Bishkek, Almaty and to other users served by the BTBA.

Project Objective

: to enhance the security and safety of gas transportation and supplies in South Eastern Kazakhstan and Northern Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the regions of Bishkek and Almaty.

Specific Objectives

Specific Project Objectives

• To assess the need for rehabilitation of the 1020mm diameter gas pipeline Bukhara-Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty (BTBA) on the territory of Kyrgyzstan where the current situation is critical (KP438-KP487) and raises security of supply concerns;
• To prepare a work programme for rehabilitation/construction of approximately 111 km within the Kyrgyz Republic (KP376-KP487);
• To develop a common emergency plan for the sections of the BTBA pipeline on the territory of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (KP0-KP698) and to provide capacity building on maintenance and emergency management1020mm diameter gas pipeline Bukhara-Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty (BTBA) on the territory of Kyrgyzstan where the current situation is critical (KP438-KP487) and raises security of supply concerns;programme for rehabilitation/construction of approximately 111 km within the Kyrgyz Republic (KP376-KP487);BTBA pipeline on the territory of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (KP0-KP698) and to provide capacity building on maintenance and emergency management

Expected Results

Planned activities of the project are as follows:
General Component – Inception and reporting (set up office, meet key stakeholders, familiarize with pipeline, establish Steering Committee / hold its meetings, agree co-operation details with KyrKazGaz / KazTransGaz, arrange kick-off meeting and reporting)
Component 1 – Upgrading and De-bottlenecking
Activity 1 – Assessment of section to be completed/rehabilitated/reconstructed and the compressor station Sokuluk, to the eastern Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan border (review documentation, examine existing facilities and route, determine current state of underground and surface pipes, technical details, updated documentation, description of works and material requirements, assist KyrKazGas in developing Project document)
Activity 2 – Works scheduling, budgeting and launching implementation (breakdown of tasks, estimation of task duration, scheduling, task resourcing/budget preparation, resource mobilization and costing, financing considerations, prepare tender dossier)
Component 2 – Maintenance and Emergency Procedures
Activity 3 – Organisation of workshops on maintenance, development of Emergency Plan and Emergency Operations (development of programme of workshops and seminars, organisation of six workshops, organization of seminars, dissemination, incident network)

The expected overall project results are as follows:

A tender dossier for upgrading, removing bottlenecks and construction of the TBA system within Kyrgyzstan from KP376 (Chaldybar) to KP487 (the eastern border with Kazakhstan);

Maintenance and emergency procedures are improved and a common Emergency Plan is developed (for KP0-KP698).