Text “jsc “Astrakhan Korabel”

As well as recently discovered oil fields, large natural gas supplies are also in evidence, though further exploration is needed to define their full potential. Geopolitical jockeying is taking place amongst Caspian-bordering countries, especially in the light of Middle East instability and the subsequent recasting of many Western countries' energy policies. Another factor influencing this is the new US military deployment to the Central Asian region.

A key problem is the status of the Caspian Sea and the establishment of the water boundaries among the five littoral countries. Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed an agreement in 2003 to divide the northern 64% of the sea among themselves, although the other two bordering countries, Iran and Turkmenistan, did not agree to this. This is likely to result in the three agreeing nations proceeding with oil development regardless; Iranian and Turkmen development is likely to stall.

As you know Astrakhan is a port which links Russia with Caspian Sea. Thus, we have many ship-building yards which provide great opportunities for drilling rig construction. One of such yards is ship-building yard “Astrakhan Korabel”.

JSC “Astrakhan Korabel” is one of the largest shipbuilding enterprises in South Region of Russia. During more than seventy-years history the yard got unique experience in construction of cargo ships in different purposes and drilling rigs of different types. Experienced personnel of the yard is able to solve difficult engineering and production tasks, ensure the highest quality of work execution and guarantee observance of international standards at vessels construction and realization of offshore projects. The yard was founded in 1930 on the bank of Zolotoi Zaton that has straight outlet to Volga and is situated in 7 kilometers from district centre. In 80-s and 90-s new workshops were built, the yard capacities were replenished with floating cranes of heavy cargo capacity: “Bogatyir” – cargo capacity 300 t, and “Volgar” – cargo capacity 1400 t.

Technical organization measures carried out in 2001 – 2003 enabled to modernize yard capacities regarding main branches of industry. JSC “Astrakhan Korabel” has experience of: self-elevating drilling rigs, semi-submersible drilling rigs, shallow-draft rig, deck-modules of stationary drilling platforms, crane vessels, metal structures of different type of rigs. Nowadays the yard is involved in different great projects.

In October 2004 there were started dismantling of basic semi-submersible load-bearing hull “Shelf-7”. During the work, which has finished in May, 2005, there was carried out dismounting of equipment, systems and cable passages of main technological units of the drilling rig. Some units were completely dismounted. Dismounting of outdated equipment and metal structures was carried out for provision of further converting of the rig into Class LSP-1 (Ice-resistant Fixed Platform) for the exploitation at the deposit named after Y. Korchagin in North Caspian. The next stage of modernization is fabrication and mounting of ice-proof metal structures, supports and piles.

Also JSC “Astrakhan Korabel” takes part in Kashagan Development project – the largest hydrocarbon deposit of Caspian Sea. The responsibility of the yard is supply of completed Utility barge. Main systems on the barge board-system of compressed air production, system of diesel oil storage, system of service water production and system of its storage, system of nitrogen production, fire system, including main fire pumps. “Astrakhan Korabel” carries out construction of vessels under surveillance of world leading classification societies: Lloyd’s Register Shipping, Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Bureau Veritas. Quality policy is based on mandatory observance of international standards, norms and regulations which regulate requirements of order and production quality of shipbuilding and ship repair, and covers all levels of work organization at the Yard.

Due to long-term experience, modern production facilities and information technologies, qualified personnel and also favorable geographical location and prospects of the Caspian Shelf development JSC “Astrakhan Korabel” has a steady position of the leader of offshore shipbuilding in the Caspian Region.

Answer the following questions:

When was JSC “Astrakhan Korabel” founded?

What facilities does “Astrakhan Korabel” provide for rig construction?

What kinds of drilling rigs can the yard built?

What projects is “Astrakhan Korabel” involved in?

Why does “Astrakhan Korabel” have a steady position in the shipbuilding industry of the Caspian Region?