SOCAR’s Black Sea Oil Terminal to conduct operations on anti-corrosion protection of berth

Azerbaijan, Baku, July 18 / Trend E. Ismayilov / By the order of Kulevi Oil Terminal the Oil & Gas Scientific Research Project Institute of SOCAR implemented technology that provides anti-corrosion protection of berth piling built in 2001-2006. This will ensure the long term and reliable operation of Kulevi Port hydro technical equipment, SOCAR's Kulevi oil terminal said today. Berth piling is a solid sheet pile wall (Larssen sheet piling), formed by steel piles, pile driving or indentation. The natural processes of corrosion and the microbiologic destruction of structures under the influence of the harsh marine environment stipulated the necessity of conducting this work, the statement said. After a thorough study of the natural conditions and the aggravating factors that lead to the corrosion of sheet piles, an electric/chemical protection method was selected as the most effective means to protect against marine-based metallic structure corrosion. Aluminum galvanic anodes were selected as protectors to be affixed to the internal side of the piling via underwater welding methods. The Terminal has already purchased one-third of the required anodes and project implementation work has reached the final stage. Afterwards the Terminal plans to commence diving works to install the above mentioned protectors, the statement said. Kulevi terminal was put into operation in summer 2008. Its total capacity is 10 million tons of oil per year, including 3 million tons of oil, 3 million tons of diesel fuel, and 4 million tons of fuel oil. The tank farm's total volume is 320,000 cubic meters with the possibility of increasing to 380,000 cubic meters. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az