Rifgat Khakimov: ‘25 years ago nobody used to steal oil – there was no demand’

To build a plant for import substitution

Rifgat Nursaitovich, last year in Kazan Giprotruboprovod established a branch – Kazangiprotruboprovod. For what purpose? Will Transneft implement some major projects in Tatarstan?

The general solution of the country – to implement import substitution — pushed us to establish a branch in Kazan. We were rigidly connected with Ukraine on the supply of pumps and with certain factories abroad on the supply of main electric engines – the serious machines with capacity from 5 to 10 thousand kilowatts. To get rid of this dependence, in Chelyabinsk, there was launched a new plant Transneft Oil Pumps. This winter, there it was started the pilot production of the main line pumps. This allows to replace the main equipment, which in some enterprises have been working for 60(!) years. The company adheres to the policy, according to which no equipment or a linear part is replaced without design decisions and research. That is why in Kazan there was created a highly specialized branch — for the replacement of main equipment of pumping stations. We have been working on it successfully over a year. Transneft-Kama Region has already received 2 pumps for Perm oblast and Tatarstan. Of course, the replacement process is not so quick: we need to get a certain corridor of pipeline stops, to plan the work, etc.

The company adheres to the policy, according to which no equipment or a linear part is replaced without design decisions and research. That is why in Kazan there was created a highly specialized branch — for the replacement of the main equipment of pumping stations. We have been working on it successfully over a year

Is the creation of new pipeline routes and of transportation of oil and oil products being considered now in Tatarstan, Russia?

The new direction has recently been loaded, the pipeline system Zapolyarye – Purpe. The pipeline is full and now the complex testing of the equipment is being carried out. Together with Lukoil it will be completed the construction of Andreyevka – Almetyevsk oil pipeline, which will be directed to Primorsk according to the Sever project. This will unite the transport scheme of the plants-producers of diesel fuel and gasoline. Today there is the programme, according to which the existing oil pipeline is being extended, in particular, in Tatarstan, first — up to 15 million tonnes, then — up to 25 million tonnes.

How to stabilize the oil quality

Two years ago, Transneft lobbied the project of separate pipeline, according to which oil would go from Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Udmurtia and Orenburg region. In this situation, the Tatarstan oil companies will face losses.

Yes, and not only from Tatarstan. Due to the deterioration of oil quality on the whole territory of Russia the issues of a separate pipe, indeed, is constantly raised. However, Transneft is developing the system of quality regulation of oil without distribution of high-sulphur oil on all streams if no decision on the allocation of individual sulfur stream is taken. It is possible to stabilize the quality to Primorsk.

In order to ensure steady and homogeneous parameters, Urals Transneft has already developed the special programme. It includes the construction and reconstruction of the systems of automatic mixing and compounding of oil in 17 objects of the company: oil pumping stations Samara, Krotovka, Kaleykino, Perm, Gorky and others. It is planned the construction and reequipment of chemical laboratories, oil quality monitor units and much more. There also will be the full equipping of the facilities with automation equipment and the flow controllers of oil quality monitoring and the integration of software complex for network control of oil quality.

In order to ensure steady and homogeneous parameters, Urals Transneft has already developed the special programme. It includes the construction and reconstruction of the systems of automatic mixing and compounding of oil in 17 objects of the company

And the Ministry of Energy of Russia will consider the allocation of high-sulphur oil in a separate stream if the level of sulfur in the Urals will exceed the threshold of 1.8%. This can happen no sooner than by the end of 2017.

In general, our good oil is for export and high-sulfur remains in the Republic for processing. Can this situation be changed?

Russia is bound by the contracts which specify the deliveries in terms of volume and quality. One thing is clear: the processing of sweet crude requires less financial and time costs than the oil, which we call sulphur.

20 billion rubles per year for the reconstruction of equipment

From 2007 you are the head of the unit in Transneft in Tatarstan. What major projects have been implemented during this time?

A lot, actually. But the main one, of course, is the joint construction of Transneft and Tatneft of all external infrastructure of the oil refining complex TANEKO. This is trunk pipeline 'Pumping station Kaleykino – Nizhnekamsk refinery' with tank park and two pump stations – booster and main, metering station. Also, the pipeline Nizhnekamsk – Almetyevsk – Kstovo has been recontructed.

Of course, our union, which is 65 years, is mostly being reconstructed. The equipment that was put into effect 65 years ago, of course, is not commensurate with the current requirements, including environmental. Now there is a large-scale reconstruction. Every year for the past three years it is spent 20 billion rubles – it is the serious money, earned by Transneft. The tank farm is being reconstructed, the replacement of equipment, the replacement of the linear part. There is a very serious diagnosis made by Transneft, which allows without stopping the pipelines to determine the presence of defects in the pipes. It is the serious work, because it is much harder to reconstruct the old than to build new. Transneft-Kama Region pumps 600 thousand tonnes per day, of which only the eighth part is the oil extracted in Tatarstan. Mostly North oil pipelines go through Kama Region: Surgut – Polotsk, Kholmogory – Klin. It is only the office of Transneft – Kama Region is situated in Kazan but 6 thousand kilometers of pipelines is not only of Tatarstan. However, we appreciate the Tatarstan leadership and personally Rustam Nurgaliyevich [Minnikhanov – editor's note], who always meets halfway and is very understanding.

The equipment that was put into effect 65 years ago, of course, is not commensurate with the current requirements, including environmental. Now there is a large-scale reconstruction. Every year for the past three years it is spent 20 billion rubles – it is serious money, earned by Transneft

Of course, a key partner of Transneft-Kama Region is TAIF. Their oil refinery receives oil from us. They have carried out a great work associated with their section of the pipeline. It's 29 kilometres of pipeline, which they completely reconstructed. We have no complaints to this part: in the end of the pipeline they built a new metering unit that meets all requirements. As partners, we can proudly look each other in the eyes.

The future belongs to their technology of deep, up to 98.5%, heavy residue processing. After all, there are Russian enterprises that can hardly reach 60%. Several times the Russian enterprises took a prolongation on Euro 5, but our plants were first who transferred, did the reconstruction, and all the others asked for a postponement. And I know that really there are few who do that. The worst thing, in my opinion, that there are many temporary workers in the leadership positions: failed and left. In Tatarstan, everyone is from us, you know. Shigabutdinov, Maganov, Takhautdinov – they love their jobs, and it is difficult for them now.

A small fault for the work of the whole plant

What solutions found in Transneft-Kama Region were implemented in other companies of Transneft?

Tatarstan adopted the document, which was replicated in other regions of Russia. We are talking about the access to a pipeline. Today, land is private and several times we faced with the fact that we couldn't get to the pipe. Last year is was a complete nonsense. There was even declared an emergency on the pipeline in Baitugan in Samara Oblast, where it came even to threats. But it turned out that there are so many tie-ins in the pipeline, so the owners did not allow on their territory. They did a tape over the pipe and covered by a private property. Here is an example of what does not happen in Tatarstan. Thanks to the leadership who understand because it is not our business — it is the public interest.

25 years ago nobody used to steal oil because there was no demand. As soon as a buyer appeared, it began. But no one is fighting with a buyer

The document that we developed together with Kantyukov (the Director General of Gazprom transgaz Kazan, a deputy Rafkat Kantyukov — editor's note) gave the owner of the pipeline the right to service freely the pipeline. The employees can access the pipeline and to eliminate the problem. After all, maybe the oil spillage occurred or a defect of some kind need to be eliminated and we are not allowed to the place of a possible accident. The procedures for land acquisition, easement can last for years. Then, in the Samara oblast, it took 2.5 years to come with a project to replace a section of the pipeline because of one landowner. The situation has been resolved only recently. In Tatarstan we have never had a moment when we didn't understand each other. We have the resolution and everything is clear.

The group has recently been arrested that is suspected in the theft of 60 tonnes of diesel fuel in Leningrad oblast through the unauthorized tie-in. What is more, the pipe was in a garden area. What is also quite a blatant theft.

And that's not even such a major theft. They manage to hold a directional drilling on 4.5 kilometres, make approach to the pipe, to bring in the hangar and to steal on an industrial scale. So very there can be serious schemes.

But 25 years ago nobody used to steal oil because there was no demand. As soon as a buyer appeared, it began. But no one tackles with a buyer.

The forecast that we also need to develop other sectors. Europe is already 20 years ago began to prepare for departure from hydrocarbon dependence: from gas and oil. And those programs that they are implementing, they are not on paper, no one gives any postponement

'We are still very dependent on Europe'

Well, what is your forecast for the industry?

The forecast is that we need to develop other sectors. Europe already 20 years ago began to prepare for departure from hydrocarbon dependence: from gas and oil. And those programmes that they are implementing, they are not on paper, no one gives any postponement. Due to this dependence, which we just want to abandon, we will eventually be forced to abandon it. While the main item of the budget is hydrocarbons. But the oil is in Venezuela too, but how do they live?

However, in Venezuela, with its own oil extraction, gasoline is much cheaper.

Well, we are still very dependent on Europe. Less than a euro per liter, there is no gasoline. Our industry is very integrated with foreign and there is no other way.

What is your personal opinion on the project of the construction of WSLH-pipeline Yamal – Volga Region? To be the pipeline, or will it be delayed?

We already had our own WSLH-pipeline 'Siberia – Ural – Volga Region', until in 1989 near Ufa it happened a terrible accident, which led to the explosion.

These light hydrocarbons are in abundance in Siberia. And we, of course, all in one Russia live, but I think that someone just doesn't want the emergence of a new competitor. It's not only connected with raw material supply. It lies on the final product – on the production of polyethylene, pipes. And a similar plant is being built in Tomsk, where WSLH will be required as raw material…

Does that mean that the lobby of those who are against the pipeline Yamal – Volga Region is stronger and the project will be delayed?

It think yes, unfortunately.