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The Tengiz oil field, first discovered in 1979, is the world’s deepest producing supergiant oil field and the largest single-trap producing reservoir in existence. Located in Kazakhstan, the Tengiz oil field has a surface area more than four times that of Paris, France, and can produce over 290,000 barrels of crude oil each day. 

In 2016, the Tengiz Future Growth Project (FGP) - Wellhead Pressure Management Project (WPMP) was approved and initiated by Tengizchevroil, which is a joint venture consisting of Chevron (50%), ExxonMobil (25%), KazMunayGas (20%) and LukArco (5%). The goal of the integrated project is to increase the total daily production from the Tengiz reservoir and maximize the ultimate recovery of resources. In total, the expansion project is expected to boost daily crude oil production from Tengiz by approximately 260,000 barrels per day with the drilling of new wells and installation of new sour gas processing and re-injection facilities. 

Initially, the FGP was slated to draw first oil in 2022. However, the expansion efforts came to a complete stop with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, due to the spread of coronavirus among the workforce, Kazakhstan had to suspend operations at the Tengiz oil field. Almost overnight, an estimated 26,000 builders working on the FGP had to be evacuated and the goal of completing the FGP was uncertain. 

Achieving faster production rates 

In early 2021, Tengizchevroil announced that the Tengiz expansion was back on track—but with a new deadline. The $45 billion oil production capacity upgrade project would now be complete by the end of 2023; however, that meant expansion efforts would have to increase to make up for lost time. 

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Pipeline Technique Limited (PTL) is a world leading provider of solutions to the oil and gas industry. Since it was founded in 1998, PTL has built a track record in the delivery of technically challenging solutions for offshore and onshore construction projects, ranging from ultra-deep water and ultra-heavy wall thickness to fatigue-sensitive pipelines.  

As part of the Tengiz Q2 2021 expansion project, PTL was contracted to perform pipeline machining. But to stay on schedule, PTL needed high-speed deep counterboring machines to help them achieve faster production rates. In February 2021, PTL awarded contracts to Tri Tool to provide portable, high-speed deep counterboring machines. 

Tri Tool’s portable, high-speed deep counterboring machines deliver unprecedented accuracy and superior finishes through a true seven axis CNC machining capability. The computer-controlled system allows for real-time monitoring of the cut and features patent-pending laser-assisted pipe end alignment for rapid pipe-to-pie cycle times. In addition, the system’s 100% mechanized pipe rack requires no manual pipe handling for maximum safety. 

These state-of-the-art machines will be used for pipeline machining along the right-of-way for the Q2 2021 expansion of the Tengis oil field. The innovative design of the high-speed deep counterboring machines allows PTL to counterbore pipe ends in an efficient just-in-time manner rather than stockpiling pre-machined pipes ahead of time.  

To learn more about how Tri Tool’s custom engineering and precision machining solutions and services for oil and gas applications, please email OilAndGas@TriTrool.com