OREANDA-NEWS. November 30, 2011. HMS Group plc (the “Group”) (LSE: HMSG), the leading pump manufacturer and provider of flow control solutions and related services in Russia and the CIS, announces that today it has launched one of the most powerful testing facilities in Europe to conduct field tests of pumping equipment. This event was attended by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, heads of relevant Ukraine ministries, representatives of the major clients such as Transneft, Russian oil-trunk pipelines operator, Rosatom, Russian state-owned nuclear operator, as well as representatives of investment community.

This new test facility provides the capacity of 14 MW and is unique in the CIS.

Only few of the world's leading pump manufacturers have similar equipment. The whole project has been implemented in 18 months and included the facility design, procurement of equipment, construction and commissioning. Investments exceeded 20 million US dollars.

This facility increases R&D capacities of HMS Group considerably. It is intended for field testing of pumping equipment in the operating mode measuring rotating speed, capacity, head and power. The facility provides test benches for all sizes of oil trunk pipeline pumps from the HMS Group product range. The maximum parameters are up to 12.5 MW; 16,000 m3/h and head of 350 m.

The first pump units to be tested will be NM 10000-380-2 pumps made for Transneft to be installed in the ESPO pipeline system. Then pump equipment for downstream and nuclear power plants under construction will be tested; including feed pumps for a unique "VVER-TOI" project carried out by Rosatom envisaging the construction of NPP units with pressurized water reactors.

Putting into operation of this testing facility is an important milestone in the HMS Group development, that strengthens its positions as a provider of unique technical solutions for clients’ need of any complexity.