OREANDA-NEWS. March 24, 2011. TATNEFT is implementing a modernization program of switchgear and control gear assembly at 110/35/6 (10) kV substations for the purpose of improving the electrical equipment operation reliability of the oil production facilities, reported the press-centre of TATNEFT.

The reconstruction program of complete switchgear and control gear assembly is performed within the framework of a long-term investment program "Reliability improvement the of OAO Tatneft power supply system", developed by the Department of Energy jointly with the Investment Department and oil and gas production boards. It consists of three phases: Phase 1 is replacement of oil circuit breakers 6 (10) kV with vacuum; Phase 2 is reconstruction of relay protection and automatic equipment with application of domestic digital (microprocessor based) devices and Phase 3 is reconstruction of the secondary automation and control circuits.

Currently the first phase of the program has been completed, i.e. 100 per cent replacement of oil circuit breakers 6 (10) kV with vacuum ones at the distribution substations of TATNEFT has been done.

Implementation of the second phase began in 2010 and has been designed for a three-year period. It provides for the upgrading and replacement of relay protection for modern microprocessor based devices with possibility of integrating them into an automatic control system of power facilities.

The advantages of using domestic microprocessor are high sensitivity and reliability, wide operating temperature range (-40 to +55 degrees C), simplicity, easy installation and low cost in comparison with foreign analogues.

Implementation of the third phase calculated on a five-year period started in 2011. Currently experimental works to determine the optimal equipment configuration based of the price-quality ratio.