OREANDA-NEWS.   The Izhora Pipe Mill, part of the Russian Steel division of OAO Severstal, one of the world’s leading steel and steel-related mining companies, has begun installing automated pipe measuring equipment to enhance efficiency for measuring out-of-roundness and billet curvature.

The mill’s second expanding machine is now in the final stage of installment and will increase production at the mill by an average of 15% and ensure that all product deliveries, including to the South Stream project, are reliable and completed on time. Installation has been carried out by Fontijne Grotnes B.V., a Dutch manufacturer and supplier of processing units, along with representatives of the Izhora Pipe Mill.

Vitaly Motorin, Director of Rolled Product Production at Severstal Russian Steel, said: “Supporting the construction of the undersea section of the South Stream pipeline is one of our key priorities. The Izhora Pipe Mill underwent extensive equipment upgrading in 2012−2013 to ensure that we would meet the high expectations of our customers. Our comprehensive preparations for the project include further improving the qualifications of our staff as well as our technological upgrades”.

Having won the tender process, Severstal will supply 100 thousand tonnes of 813 mm diameter pipes manufactured at the Izhora Pipe Mill for the offshore section of the South Stream pipeline system. The contract for delivery of the pipes was signed on 29 January, 2014, at South Stream Transport B.V.’s Dutch office, in Amsterdam.