20th Mar 2008 14:58
OAO TMK20 March 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 20, 2008 PRESS RELEASE TMK Ships First Batch of Large-Diameter Pipes to Nord Stream. TMK announces that it began shipments of 1420 mm large-diameter electric weldedpipes with 21.6 mm wall thickness for use in the Nord Stream onshore section anddesigned for high-pressure applications of up to 9.8 MPa (100ATM). This new range of large-diameter pipes was produced at TMK's Volzhsky Pipe Plantand a test batch was sent to a Gazprom test site in 2007. Full-scaled tests,including flow and explosive testing, evidenced the high mechanical propertiesof this new pipe range. These pipes are intended for the Nord Stream gaspipeline and other high-pressure applications under various climatic conditions,including arctic environments. Following these tests, the pipes were certified by the Scientific-ResearchInstitute of Natural Gases and Gas Technologies (VNIIGAZ) and approved byGazprom's R&D department. TMK is able to supply large-diameter pipes withinternal smooth coating and external anticorrosive coating options. Earlier thisyear, internal smooth coating equipment for welded pipes was commissioned atVolzhsky Pipe Plant. In 2008, TMK expects to supply Gazprom with up to 70,000 tonnes of large-diameter pipes for the onshore section of Nord Stream. "TMK now offers high-tech tubular products that meet the requirements of today'slarge-scale pipeline construction projects. We are constantly improving anddeveloping our range of large-diameter pipes and implementing new productiontechnologies, making our products suitable for the most severe operatingconditions and aggressive environments. This makes it possible for us toparticipate in large-scale pipeline projects such as Nord Stream," commented TMKCEO, Konstantin Semerikov. OAO "TMK" (www.tmk-group.com) Founded in 2001, TMK (LSE: TMKS) is the largest pipe producer in Russia and oneof the three global market leaders. In 2007, TMK shipped over 3 million tonnes of pipes. TMK supplies to companiesin more than 60 countries. TMK production facilities are located in Russia and Romania: • Volzhsky Pipe Plant; • Seversky Tube Works; • Taganrog Metallurgical Works; • Sinarsky Pipe Plant; • SC TMK-Resita SA; • SC TMK-ARTROM SA; • TMK Oilfield Services: For further information please contact: TMK PR Department: Sergey IlinTel: +7 495 775 7600 ext. 2149Email: [email protected] TMK IR Department Alexei RatnikovTel: +7 495 775 7600 ext. 2078Email: [email protected] www.tmk-group.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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