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Russia Parts with “Druzhba”
12:29, 24/04/2007

A check of the oil pipeline “Druzhba” carried out by Russian part with Russian Federal Service for Ecological, Technical and Atomic Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) has shown that more than 95% of oil pipeline in the part of Unecha-Polatsk with the capacity of about 15 mln tons of oil annually contradicts safety requirements. In order to deal with claims of the agency, in fact the pipeline is to be rebuilt. A Russian newspaper Kommersant claims that a stoppage of the pipeline functioning opens additional possibilities for increasing volume of oil deliveries via the territory of Ukraine.

Yesterday Russian Federal Service for Ecological, Technical and Atomic Supervision published results of another check of the pipeline. They mean that most likely it would not work any more. As the agency informs, in order to “Transneft” is to replace defective pipes. “The owner is not obliged to carry out these works, but until the abnormal condition is cleared, the pipeline work couldn’t renew its functioning in full capacity,” the spokesperson of Rostekhnadzor Evgeniy Antoshyn said, underlining that the use of “Druzhba” is not forbidden. After a breakdown in July 2006 the agency obliged the owner to decrease the pressure in the pipe fourfold.

That failure coincided with the of Russian-Lithuanian relations aggravation. Mazeikiu nafta oil refinery to which Lukoil, TNK-VR and Rosneft lay claims, was sold to a Polish company PKN ORLEN. In August as a response to suspension of oil deliveries Lithuanian authorities menaced to similarly start repair works of a railway branch connecting Russia and Kaliningrad. In November the conflict was settled at the level of foreign ministers. The sides agreed that Russia would give the schedule of pipeline repair works until March 15, 2007. At the same time, Russia announced ferry line to Kaliningrad.

A source close to Rostekhnadzor confirmed that “Druzhba” built in 1960ies is really in poor condition. The source said that in case of a political decision to keep the pipeline, pipes could have been changed. He says that a new trunk pipeline is most likely to be constructed bypassing Lithuania, as Transneft is not in a hurry to follow recommendations of Rostekhnadzor.

Yesterday Russian Energy ministry denied comments on the position of Rostekhnadzor and Trasneft plans. However, the ministry reminded that in the near future Russian government is to consider a project of construction of an oil pipeline Unecha-Primorsk which would allow giving up both Lithuanian and Belarusian oil transit.