Chemical companies – news from Russia and CIS

July 2002

 

 

Tobolsk Petrochemical Combinate stopped its productions for overhaul

     Tobolsk Petrochemical Combinate stopped its main productions for overhaul.  Within three weeks significant repair works on gas-fractioning unit should be made, old equipment on butadiene plant should be replaced with a new turbine-compressor block, made by company’s order by Japan “Mitsubisi” and “Fuji-electric”.

    "SIBUR" allotted for overhaul and modernization about US$ 20 mln. Schedule of repair works is very tight – on 20 July gas-fractioning unit has to start processing of raw materials.

www.t-l.ru

"SIBUR-Tyumen" suffers heavy losses because of shut-down of its gas-processing plants

     "SIBUR-Tyumen" suffers US$ hundreds million losses because of shut-down of its GPPs. Nearly all main plants of “SIBUR-Tyumen” are out of operation from the April. In last months in operation are only two GPPs –Gubkinsky, to which raw materials are supplied by "Rosneft-Purneftegaz" and Surgutsky, which became property of "Surgutneftegaz". Lokosovskiy, Yuzhno-Balykskiy and Noyabrskiy (which includes Muravlenkovskiy GPP) are stopped for planned overhaul. Operation of  "Nyagangazpererabotka" (former Krasnoleninskiy GPP), Nizhnevartovskiy and Belozerny GPP, main supplier of raw materials for which is TNK, also was suspended.

     The reason of stoppage of “SIBUR-Tyumen” plants lays in the fact that agreement between “SIBUR” and “Gazprom”, reached in February, when “Gazprom” Deputy chairman Aleksandr Riazanov promised to oil companies to consider possibilities of selling to them “SIBUR” plants, is not respected.    

     Because of uncertainty of “SIBUR” situation, oil companies, which intended to purchase “SIBUR” GPPs, change their plans and consider construction of the own plants. For instance, "Sibneft" in nearest two weeks could announce tender for construction of  3 billion m3 per year GPP near Noyabrsk.  

      Hearing of “SIBUR” bankruptcy case in Arbitration Court of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, which took place on 4 July, resulted in decision of Court to appoint examination of all “SIBUR” creditors arguments on 3 of September and subsequent hearing of bankruptcy case on 13 of September.

By materials of  Rusenergy, NGV, SIA

 

 “Srednevolzhsky Plant of Chemicals” 55 mln. Rb debt to “Samaraenergo” puts Chapayevsk on the edge of environmental disaster

 

     Debt of “Srednevolzhsky Plant of Chemicals” (SPCH) in Chapayevsk to “Samaraenergo” reached 55 mln Rb, and from the February the plant did not pay anything to diminish it. On the company’s territory waste water disposal plant is situated, to which the city communal sewage is fed (by SPCH information, 44 mln Rb of the debt to “Samaraenergo” arose due to city waste water disposal plant), and more than 500 t of liquid chlorine and hydrochloric acid is stored.  "Samaraenergo" announced, that it cannot finance the work of city waste water disposal plant all alone any more, therefore from 8 July it will completely cut the energy supply  to “Srednevolzhsky Plant of Chemicals”.

NGV

 

Affiliates of  "Orgsteklo" will be founded as LLC

 

     Meeting of JSC “Orgsteklo” creditors took place in Dzerzhynsk (Nizhegorodskaya oblast). Creditors approved changes in the plan of company’s external management.

     According to these decisions, affiliates of “Orgsteklo” in form of limited liability companies will be created – phenol-acetone production (provisional name “FAD”) and simazine production (provisional name “Simazine”).

    External manager Mr. Galyanov also informed the creditors about the return of shares of affiliate “Dzerzhynskoye Orgsteklo”, which were in trust in “Vostok-Capital

 NTA

 

 

Oil supplies to Ukranian OPP declined

 

     Oil supplies to Ukrainian oil-processing plants in June declined by  6,2% compared to May – from  2028300 t to 1901300 t. Supplies of Russian oil diminished by  17,3% (from 1585300 t to  1310900 t), Kazakh – raised by  25,2% (from 257600 t to  322400 t), Ukrainian – raised by  12,2% - from 185500 t to  208100 t. The biggest amount of oil was supplied in June to Kremenchug OPP (“Ukrtatnafta”)  – 687600 t (153900 t – Ukrainian, 530800 t  – Russian, 3000 t - Kazakh). In May to that OPP  740800 t of oil was supplied.

     Supplies of oil to Lisichansk OPP ("LiNOS") made 469900 t (500000 t in May). "LUKOIL-Odessa OPP" got  332200 t of oil  (232400  – Russian, 99800 - Kazakh), in May – 286800 t. To Kherson OPP (“Khersonnaftopererobka”)  169600 t of oil was supplied (all the oil from Kazakhstan), in May – 174600 t. To Drogobych OPP ( “NPK “Galychyna””) 148600 t of oil was supplied (28000 t – Ukrainian, 120600 t - Russian), in May – 174300 t.  Nadvirna OPP ("Naftochimik Prykarpattya”) got in June 93400 t of oil (26200 t  – Ukrainian, 67200 t  – Russian), in May – 151900 t.

Business week

 

 

Vinnitsa “Chimprom” bankruptcy was initiated

 

      Economic Court of Vinnitsa oblast initiated case of  bankruptcy of state enterprise “Production association  "Chimprom"” (Vinnitsa). "Chimprom" specializes on superphosphate production. In 2001 company produced 23100 t of that product.

Business week

 

 

 

 

“Nizhnekamskneftechim’s ” negotiations about production of linear alkyl-benzenes

 

      “Nizhnekamskneftechim” management had negotiations with Italian “Ballestra S. p. A. Peter Cremer” and “Procter & Gamble Chemicals” about organization of  linear alkyl-benzenes (LABs) production. Decision was taken by  “Nizhnekamskneftechim” Board of Directors in the end of 2001 with the aim of more effective use of alpha-olefines fraction Ñ12, produced on oligomers plant. After detailed analysis, specialists of company together with “Ballestra” specialists, decided, that the optimal solution is processing of  Ñ12 fraction to LABs. Linear alkyl-benzenes are raw material for production of all kinds of biodegradable detergents. Total demand of LABs of Russian chemical plants is about 100000 tpa. Kazan “Nefis-Cosmetics” alone could process 20000 t of LABs per year. At present time the only producer of LABs in Russia is “Kirishineftesintez” (its capacity is 50000 tpa, 70% of LABs production is exported).   

    Before the negotiations in Nizhnekamsk “Ballestra”, according to the contract for preproject investigation and cost estimation of project, developed documentation, which includes technological flowsheet with detailed description and specification of operational characteristics, list of equipment etc.  As a basis of development two technologies were taken – UOP and  technology, developed by “Nizhnekamskneftechim” Research Center specialists. Specialists consider  “Nizhnekamskneftechim” technology more flexible, permitting, depending on market situation, to  produce only LABs or LABs and intermediate for synthetic oils production.  

    It is supposed to create production of  40000-45000 tpa capacity. Three variants of project are considered. For  “Nizhnekamskneftechim”, probably, the most attractive is variant of contracting, according to which Western partners  finance the construction of new production and equipment, and Russian party pays for it with a product, after  production will be started-up.

“Nizhnekamskneftechim” press-service

The plant of synthetic detergents was put to work in Almaty

 

    Project is credited by  “BankCentrCredit”, which gave US$ 2 mln bank guarantee for purchase of equipment. In November 2000 “Atlas” company initiated the project of creation of the first domestic plant of synthetic detergents. Equipment for the plant was purchased from Italian producers, who also assembled the production lines. Because of up-to-date technologies production is environmentally safe and clean. The basic raw materials and packing materials are supplied by Kazakhstan producers.

  “Our capacity of  about 24000 tpa allows to satisfy 50% of Kazakhstan demand. For the next year we plan production of liquid detergents, rinser for linen and other products of household chemistry,” – said “Atlas” director  Baglan Kasenov.

Khabar.kz

 

Accident on Kemerovo “Azot”

 

    14 July on Kemerovo "Azot" at start-up after overhaul of one of technological lines of low concentration nitric acid unit ejection and ignition of oil of high-pressure turbine happened.

     In the result of temperature blow part of plant’s constructions collapsed. It was the time of shifts change, so there was no casualties among the personnel. The fire was localized within one hour. Part of cable communications burned. Company loss due to nitric acid and ammonium nitrate underproduction is estimated as 70-80 mln Rb. Liquidation of consequences of the accident will take 10-14 days. At present time production in low concentration nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plants is fully stopped.

      Kemerovo oblast Administration press-service

 

 

Reconstruction of Fergana  "Azot"

 

       Fergana production association “Azot” after reconstruction resumed production or sodium chlorate and chlorate-magnesium defoliant. Reconstruction began in 1999 and besides the “Azot” specialists French company “Krebs Spechim" took part in it – supplied the equipment, developed project documentation, supervised the assemblage and start-up works. Contractual price of the project is US$27,4 mln.

     “Azot” also signed the contract with Czech company MBNS for development of project documentation, supplying of equipment for finishing of construction of ammonium nitrate and low concentration nitric acid production. That production also was closed for reconstruction in 1989, and at first the works were financed by one of the ministries. Then the financing stopped, and the company invested its own money. In such a way about 75% of the needed amount was found.. The works were resumed only in middle 2001. To the May 2002 foreign partner already supplied equipment for US$ 21,4 mln. Now the assemblage works are prepared. Projected capacity of low concentration nitric acid is 360000 tpa, ammonium nitrate – 450000 tpa. According to Government decision there also will be built 200000 tpa ammonia production, 20000 tpa melamine and 165000 tpa carbamide production. Project will be realized by stages. The first stage is construction of ammonia production with infrastructure. It is one of priority investment programs for 2002.

Uzreport.com

 

 

New production objects were put to work on Volgograd Oil-processing Plant

 

   On "Lukoil Volgogradneftepererabotka" three new production objects were put to work: complex KM-3 and lines of packing of motor oils and construction bitumen. After reconstruction of KM-3 complex Volgograd Oil-processing Plant  will first in Russia begin production of  high quality basic component of oils by “Chevron” technology. It will permit to company to refuse from importing of expensive basic components and increase its export effectiveness.  Capacity of the unit is 25000 tpa

   Start of the new technological line of 1 l tanks production and  oil pouring is made in accordance with the company plans of increasing production of oil in small packing and switching to the tanks of new design.. Equipment was supplied by German “Traxel”. Capacity of the line is 6000 tpa.

   On the line of construction bitumen 30-40 kg bitumen blocks in modern packing will be produced. Equipment was supplied by Swedish “Sandvik”. Line capacity – up to 65000 tpa. All the objects were put  to exploitation according to complex program of reconstruction and modernization of "Lukoil Volgogradneftepererabotka", intended for period up to 2010. For 2002 planned investments are about 800 mln Rb. 

NGV

 

Germany is ready to finance construction of the plant for liquidation of chemical weapons in Udmurtia

 

       German government is ready to finance the construction of the third object for liquidation of chemical weapons in Kambarka settlement in Udmurtia – said councilor of Chairman of State commission on liquidation of chemical weapons Aleksandr Kharichev, referring to the announcement of the Head of program of assistance to Russia from the German side Manfred Dippel.  "Amount in question is more than US$ 84 mln. At present time in Kambarka 6349 t of lewisite in tanks is stored. It is planned to begin the exploitation of that object in  2005" – said Mr. Kharichev. He reminded, that in August it is planned to put to work first in Russia complex for destruction of chemical weapons in Gorny settlement in Saratov oblast., where 254,6 t of lewisite and more than  690 t of yperite will be destroyed.
At present time in  7 storehouses in Russia 40000 t of chemical weapons are stored.

FINMARKET

 

 

Repair of “Nizhnekamskneftechim” ethylene plant is accomplished

 

    15 of July –  6 days before the schedule – ethylene plant overhaul was accomplished. Specialists of  “Tatspetsneftechimremstroy” revised all the apparatus, made hydrostatical tests and replaced the worn equipment. Besides, 88 apparatus passed through pneumatic, acoustic and other tests.  At present time specialists began overhaul on styrene and polyester resins plant.

 Nizhnekamskneftechimpress-service

 

Russian Ministry of railway transport and  "Lukoil" will build the modern railway to Vysotsk terminal

    Russian Ministry of railway transport and petroleum company "Lukoil" signed agreement about coordination of the works on modernization of existing and construction of the new transport infrastructure, which will enable to increase capacities of oil products delivery to the terminal, constructed in Vysotsk (Leningradskaya oblast).

    According to agreement, “Lukoil” will build distributive handling complex with technological railway tracks, and Ministry will take the measures for increasing of carrying capacity of the existing branch line Saint Petersburg – Vysotsk.   Also it is planned to reconstruct railway branch lines Mga-Priozersk-Vyborg and Saint Petersburg-Vyborg-Helsinki to increase possibilities of transporting the cargo to Vysotsk and Primorsk sea ports.

ROSBALT

 

 

Chemical industry of Kemerovo oblast in I half of 2002

 

       Total amount of chemical production in Kemerovo oblast increased by 3% compared to the same period of  2001. Production of ammonia increased by 19%, fertilizers – by 31%, chemical fibres and yarn – by 16%.

      Production of Kemerovo “Azot” in first half of 2002 increased compared to the same period of 2001 by  9,1%, production of nitrogen fertilizers – by 30%, ammonium nitrate – by 70%, carbamide– by 3,3 %. In May-June overhauls of main equipment on carbamide production and ammonium unit # 2 were made, as well as current repairs on nitric acid and ammonium nitrate plants    

     On “Chimvolokno-Amtel-Kuzbass” production increased compared to 2001 by 16,5%, production of technical threads  -  9,6 times. Total production rate was about  45 % (in June 2001  – 37,1 %).

      In the end of May aniline production on “Aniline dyes plant” was reestablished, 200 new working places were created. Production in I half of 2002 increased  compared to 2001 by 80%.

                Kemerovo oblast Administration press-service

 

Propylene production of "Tomsk Petrochemical Plant" increased by 21%

    Profit of “Tomsk Petrochemical Plant” in I half of 2002 made  108.7 mln Rb. For 6 months of 2002 production of propylene increased compared to the same period of 2001  by 21%  and made 44 300 t, low density polyethylene – by 7% (71 270 t). Formalin production somewhat decreased and made 41930 t (97% of the same period 2001 ).

                        NGV.RU

 

New basic complex of Nizhnekamsk OPP will be put to work in 2002

 

   On the meeting of the working staff of  "Nizhnekamsk OPP" Director general  Kh. Bagmanov said in his summary about results of the I half of 2002, that there were two deciding factors in the work of the plant – production and construction.  On the rented by plant ELOU-AVT-7 unit  2,1 mln t of petroleum was processed. Overhaul of the unit was accomplished strictly within the schedule and with high quality, and it will be a solid basis of the future work of existing productions, as well as those which will be put to exploitation in the Phase I  of construction of the Basic complex. First of these objects was bitumen unit, put to work in March 2002, and it already produced first 18000 t of bitumens. Construction works on the remaining objects  are finished for 92%. According to decisions of  Tatarstan government, objects of Basic complex Phase I have to be put to exploitation in 2002.  .

Rusenergy.com