Engineering construction in China-Kazakhstan border area completed
On March 21, one of the control projects of Central Asia-China Pipeline—the engineering works in military controlled China-Kazakhstan border area was completed successfully.
4.9 kilometers of the Central Asia-China Pipeline has to pass through the military controlled border area, with 4.1 kilometers in Kazakh side surrounded by desert and swamp and 0.8 kilometer in Chinese side in swamp. Despite of engineering difficulties and effective work hours less than eight hours a day, the project was successfully completed within three months and a half.
Construction commences of the No.4 compressor station in Kazakhstan
On March 30, construction of the No.4 compressor station of the Central Asia-China Pipeline commenced in Kazakhstan. Compressor stations are the power source of gas pipelines. A total of ten compressor stations will be allocated along the Central Asia-China Pipeline. The No.4 compressor station, consisting of four 30 MW compressors, is 595 kilometers far from the start point of the pipeline in Kazakh territory. It is a link up point of the pipeline, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring a 17 billion cubic meters annual deliverability of the parallel pipeline in 2011.
China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation is the EPC contractor of No.4 compressor station, which is planned to be completed in 19 months, and put into operation on October 31,2010.
Directional drilling crossing of Syr Darya begins
On March 31, directional driling crossing of Syr Darya started in Kazakhstan, which is another key project of the Central Asia-China Pipeline.
The riverbed of Syr Darya is composed of pebble gravel, medium-fine sands and clay, which may cause collapse quiet easily during the crossing operation. Additionally, the altitude difference of 18 meters between the banks will make the crossing operation more difficult.
The directional driling crossing of Syr Darya needs to be performed for three times. Back dragging of the cable casing is expected to be finished on April 21. The crossing of the first and second trunk will be completed by the end of May and in June respectively.