OREANDA-NEWS. The Izhora Pipe Plant (IPP), a producer of large diameter pipes using strips supplied by the Cherepovets Steel Mill, both business units within the Russian Steel Division of OAO Severstal, one of the world’s leading steel and steel-related mining companies, has commissioned a new finishing press. The new press will focus on manufacturing small-diameter heavyweight pipes to supply Gazprom for the offshore section of its South Stream pipeline project.

The equipment for the new press has been supplied by SMS Meer, a German company, and forms part of a wider project to develop Severstal’s large-diameter pipes offering in which the company will invest approximately 1.3 billion rubles and will include the commissioning of a second expander this Spring.

Nikolai Skorokhvatov, Director General of the Izhora Pipe Plant, commented: “We are committed to developing bespoke solutions for projects in the fuel & energy sector. We are confident that the investments we are making in developing our offer will enable us to continue to manufacture customized products that meet our clients’ needs, including those for the South Stream project.”

The equipment was installed by employees from the Kolpino branch of OOO Severstal Promservice (also part of the Severstal Russian Steel Division) under the supervision of SMS Meer, the primary equipment supplier.