The Russian Pipe Metallurgical Company (PMC) has begun shipments of straight-line-seam large diameter pipes to the Turkmengaz State Corporation for the construction of  the Central Karakum-Yylanly gas station.

The volume of shipments, which are to be completed during May-August 2009, exceeds 28 thousand tons of pipes with external anti-corrosion coating that significantly improves their reliability and increases the pipes' lifespan.

The pipes are intended for the construction and operation of  the Central Karakum-Yylanly gas station connecting gas fields in the desert of Turkmenistan with the country's main gas exporting pipeline.

PMC is the exclusive supplier of pipes for this major project, which is being implemented by the Turkmengaz State Corporation, the corporation's press service said.

Turkmengas signed a contract using its own funds with Russian MRK-Engineering for the design and construction of "Central Karakum - Yylanly gas station" pipeline in February this year. The total cost of the contract amounts to US $176.6 million.

(C) 2009 Asia Pulse Pte Ltd.