Baku-Batumi pipeline
Encyclopedia
The Baku–Batumi pipeline is the name given to several pipelines
and pipeline projects to transport kerosene
and crude oil from the Caspian region to the Georgian
Batumi
oil terminal at the Black Sea
. When first constructed in 1906, it was the world's longest kerosene pipeline.
proposed the construction of Baku-Batumi pipeline to ensure the transportation of Baku oil to the world market. In 1884, the chief engineer Vladimir Shukhov
of Bari engineering company published a scientifically based draft and estimate of the Baku – Batumi oil pipeline. Also the pipeline technical project was later designed by Vladimir Sukhov. In 1885, mining engineer I. Ilimov established the Caspian and Black Sea Oil Pipeline company. In December 1887, the Government of Russia granted to Ilimov the concession to establish the Society of the Caspian-Black Sea Oil Pipeline, a joint stock company
. However, in 1891 the pipeline construction was postponed as premature, and the construction started only in 1896. At the first stage, the Batumi-Khashuri
section was constructed, while the construction of Baku-Khashuri section was finished only in 1906.
The first pipeline was kerosene pipeline with total length of 835 kilometres (518.8 mi) and 16 pumping stations. The diameter of the pipeline was mainly 8 inches (203.2 mm), but some parts had diameter of 10 inches (254 mm) and 12 inches (304.8 mm). The pipes were produced at plants in Mariupol
, Sosnovtsa and Yekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk
). The pipeline was built along the railroad line and the telephone communication was arranged along the route. The initial pipeline capacity was 980,000 tons of kerosene per annum. Pumping stations were equipped with plunger pumps, driven by steam and diesel engine
s. The pipeline for its time was the longest pipeline in the world.
After the Bolshevik Revolution
, kerosene deliveries through the pipeline were relaunched in March 1921 and on 20 May 1921, the first delivery of kerosene arrived at Batumi.
held negotiations with French companies to set up a joint venture to construct and operate the Baku-Batumi crude oil pipeline. The intention was to use the pipeline for oil export to Europe, mainly to France
. However, the negotiations failed as also failed negotiations with the United States companies. In 1927, the construction of the pipeline was awarded to Azneft, an Azerbaijani
oil company. The project designer and construction manager was A.V. Bulgakov.
The construction started in May 1928 and the pipeline was opened on 30 April 1930. It supplied mainly Batumi refinery.
The crude oil pipeline had a diameter of 10 inches (254 mm) and the length was 834 kilometres (518.2 mi). The pipeline had 13 pumping stations each equipped with three diesel pumps of 360 hp
. The pipeline used over 60,000 German-manufactured pipes weighing a total of over 54,000 tons. Diesels for the pipeline were purchased from MAN AG, pumps from Crossley
and generators from Theodor Bergmann
.
Construction work was done on three sections simultaneously. The highest point was at the 823 metres (2,700.1 ft) above of sea level
. The first 21 kilometres (13 mi) long section Khashuri-Batumi was completed on 13 February 1929, the second 363 kilometres (225.6 mi) long section Mingechaur-Khashuri was completed on 15 December 1929, and the third 248 kilometres (154.1 mi) long section Baku-Mingechaur was completed on 13 February 1930. The pipeline cost 49 million rubles.
The operation of the oil pipeline showed that it was incapable of transporting oil in planned amount and the capacity was needed to increase by 750,000 tons. In August 1942, the pipeline was dismantled in connection with the threat of penetration of German troops in that direction and its pipes were used for the construction of the Astrakhan
-Saratov
pipeline. In 1990s, some part of the pipeline were used for the construction of the Baku-Supsa Pipeline
.
agreed to reconstruct existing Khashuri-Batumi pipeline and construct Dubandi (Baku)- Khashuri pipeline. However, in May 2001 Chevron canceled this project and started to ship its oil from Tengiz Field
through the CPC pipeline
.
Kazakhstan's national oil company KazMunayGas
, owner of the Batumi Oil Terminal, has shown interest to build the new Baku-Batumi pipeline, which together with proposed Trans-Caspian
and Batumi-Constanţa
connections would allow to supply KazMunayGas oil refineries
in Romania (Rompetrol
) and planned refinery in Batumi.
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
and pipeline projects to transport kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
and crude oil from the Caspian region to the Georgian
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
Batumi
Batumi
Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. Sometimes considered Georgia's second capital, with a population of 121,806 , Batumi serves as an important port and a commercial center. It is situated in a subtropical zone, rich in...
oil terminal at the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
. When first constructed in 1906, it was the world's longest kerosene pipeline.
Kerosene pipeline
Together with oil developments in the Baku area, the need for construction of the oil pipeline from Baku to the Black Sea rose. The first pipeline proposal was submitted by Russian engineer I. Ilimov already in 1878. In 1880, Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev
Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev , was a Russian chemist and inventor. He is credited as being the creator of the first version of the periodic table of elements...
proposed the construction of Baku-Batumi pipeline to ensure the transportation of Baku oil to the world market. In 1884, the chief engineer Vladimir Shukhov
Vladimir Shukhov
Vladimir Grigoryevich Shukhov , was a Russian engineer-polymath, scientist and architect renowned for his pioneering works on new methods of analysis for structural engineering that led to breakthroughs in industrial design of world's first hyperboloid structures, lattice shell structures, tensile...
of Bari engineering company published a scientifically based draft and estimate of the Baku – Batumi oil pipeline. Also the pipeline technical project was later designed by Vladimir Sukhov. In 1885, mining engineer I. Ilimov established the Caspian and Black Sea Oil Pipeline company. In December 1887, the Government of Russia granted to Ilimov the concession to establish the Society of the Caspian-Black Sea Oil Pipeline, a joint stock company
Joint stock company
A joint-stock company is a type of corporation or partnership involving two or more individuals that own shares of stock in the company...
. However, in 1891 the pipeline construction was postponed as premature, and the construction started only in 1896. At the first stage, the Batumi-Khashuri
Khashuri
Khashuri is a town in central Georgia. It is located on the Mtkvari River.Khashuri is first mentioned in the 1693 document. Modern Khashuri was founded in 1872 as a modest railway halt called "Mikhaylovo" after Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia, Viceroy of the Caucasus. In 1917, it was...
section was constructed, while the construction of Baku-Khashuri section was finished only in 1906.
The first pipeline was kerosene pipeline with total length of 835 kilometres (518.8 mi) and 16 pumping stations. The diameter of the pipeline was mainly 8 inches (203.2 mm), but some parts had diameter of 10 inches (254 mm) and 12 inches (304.8 mm). The pipes were produced at plants in Mariupol
Mariupol
Mariupol , formerly known as Zhdanov , is a port city in southeastern Ukraine. It is located on the coast of the Azov Sea, at the mouth of the Kalmius River. Mariupol is the largest city in Priazovye - a geographical region around Azov Sea, divided by Russia and Ukraine - and is also a popular sea...
, Sosnovtsa and Yekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk
Dnipropetrovsk
Dnipropetrovsk or Dnepropetrovsk formerly Yekaterinoslav is Ukraine's third largest city with one million inhabitants. It is located southeast of Ukraine's capital Kiev on the Dnieper River, in the south-central region of the country...
). The pipeline was built along the railroad line and the telephone communication was arranged along the route. The initial pipeline capacity was 980,000 tons of kerosene per annum. Pumping stations were equipped with plunger pumps, driven by steam and diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s. The pipeline for its time was the longest pipeline in the world.
After the Bolshevik Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
, kerosene deliveries through the pipeline were relaunched in March 1921 and on 20 May 1921, the first delivery of kerosene arrived at Batumi.
Crude oil pipeline
The project of new pipeline was proposed in 1924. In 1925, the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
held negotiations with French companies to set up a joint venture to construct and operate the Baku-Batumi crude oil pipeline. The intention was to use the pipeline for oil export to Europe, mainly to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. However, the negotiations failed as also failed negotiations with the United States companies. In 1927, the construction of the pipeline was awarded to Azneft, an Azerbaijani
Oil Industry in Azerbaijan
The petroleum industry in Azerbaijan produces about of oil per day and 1 bcma of gas. Azerbaijan is one of the birthplaces of the oil industry, its history is linked to the fortunes of petroleum. It is poised to become an important oil and gas producer once again.- Early history:There is evidence...
oil company. The project designer and construction manager was A.V. Bulgakov.
The construction started in May 1928 and the pipeline was opened on 30 April 1930. It supplied mainly Batumi refinery.
The crude oil pipeline had a diameter of 10 inches (254 mm) and the length was 834 kilometres (518.2 mi). The pipeline had 13 pumping stations each equipped with three diesel pumps of 360 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
. The pipeline used over 60,000 German-manufactured pipes weighing a total of over 54,000 tons. Diesels for the pipeline were purchased from MAN AG, pumps from Crossley
Crossley
Crossley, based in Manchester, United Kingdom, was a pioneering company in the production of internal combustion engines. Since 1988 it has been part of the Rolls-Royce Power Engineering group.More than 100,000 Crossley oil and gas engines have been built....
and generators from Theodor Bergmann
Theodor Bergmann
Theodor Bergmann was a German businessman and industrialist best remembered for the various revolutionary firearms his companies released. Like many entrepreneurs of the era, his activity was centered on bicycles and the nascent automobile...
.
Construction work was done on three sections simultaneously. The highest point was at the 823 metres (2,700.1 ft) above of sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. The first 21 kilometres (13 mi) long section Khashuri-Batumi was completed on 13 February 1929, the second 363 kilometres (225.6 mi) long section Mingechaur-Khashuri was completed on 15 December 1929, and the third 248 kilometres (154.1 mi) long section Baku-Mingechaur was completed on 13 February 1930. The pipeline cost 49 million rubles.
The operation of the oil pipeline showed that it was incapable of transporting oil in planned amount and the capacity was needed to increase by 750,000 tons. In August 1942, the pipeline was dismantled in connection with the threat of penetration of German troops in that direction and its pipes were used for the construction of the Astrakhan
Astrakhan
Astrakhan is a major city in southern European Russia and the administrative center of Astrakhan Oblast. The city lies on the left bank of the Volga River, close to where it discharges into the Caspian Sea at an altitude of below the sea level. Population:...
-Saratov
Saratov
-Modern Saratov:The Saratov region is highly industrialized, due in part to the rich in natural and industrial resources of the area. The region is also one of the more important and largest cultural and scientific centres in Russia...
pipeline. In 1990s, some part of the pipeline were used for the construction of the Baku-Supsa Pipeline
Baku-Supsa Pipeline
The Baku–Supsa Pipeline is an long oil pipeline, which runs from the Sangachal Terminal near Baku to the Supsa terminal in Georgia. It transports oil from the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field. The pipeline is operated by BP.-History:The preparations for the pipeline's construction started in 1994...
.
New pipeline
There have been several proposals for the new Baku-Batumi pipeline. In 1994-1998, the Baku-Supsa Pipeline, which partly uses old Baku-Batumi pipeline route, was constructed. On 2 March 1998, Chevron CorporationChevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
agreed to reconstruct existing Khashuri-Batumi pipeline and construct Dubandi (Baku)- Khashuri pipeline. However, in May 2001 Chevron canceled this project and started to ship its oil from Tengiz Field
Tengiz Field
Tengiz field is an oil and gas field located in northwestern Kazakhstan's low-lying wetlands along the northeast shores of the Caspian Sea...
through the CPC pipeline
Caspian Pipeline Consortium
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium is a consortium and a pipeline to transport Caspian oil from Tengiz field to the Novorossiysk-2 Marine Terminal on Russia's Black Sea coast. It is also a major export route for oil from the Kashagan and Karachaganak fields...
.
Kazakhstan's national oil company KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas
KazMunayGas is the state-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan. It was founded in 2002 by merging Kazakhoil and Oil and Gas Transportation.-Subsidiaries:Main subsidiaries of KazMunayGas are:...
, owner of the Batumi Oil Terminal, has shown interest to build the new Baku-Batumi pipeline, which together with proposed Trans-Caspian
Trans-Caspian Oil Pipeline
The Trans-Caspian Oil Transport System is a proposed project to transport oil through the Caspian Sea from Kazakhstani Caspian oilfields to Baku in Azerbaijan for the further transportation to the Mediterranean or Black Sea coast. The main options under consideration are an offshore oil pipeline...
and Batumi-Constanţa
Constanta
Constanța is the oldest extant city in Romania, founded around 600 BC. The city is located in the Dobruja region of Romania, on the Black Sea coast. It is the capital of Constanța County and the largest city in the region....
connections would allow to supply KazMunayGas oil refineries
Oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
in Romania (Rompetrol
Rompetrol
The Rompetrol Group N.V. , is a Romanian oil company, that operates in many countries throughout Europe:unclear what "market share": refining? downstream? extraction? well services?*Romania - 2nd largest oil company, 40% market share...
) and planned refinery in Batumi.