ATYRAU – The quality products of the Chevron-owned Atyrau Polyethylene Pipe Plant (APPP) and the Atyrau Valve Plant (AVP) are now available to Russian consumers. APPP and AVP plant managers have made contracts with consumers and dealers in Kazan, Nizhnekamsk and other Russian cities, and currently are concentrating marketing efforts on an established dealer network in Volgograd.
“The Customs Union, which includes Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus, raised interest in Atyrau’s products among neighbouring countries,” explained APPP General Manager Serik Dyusekenov. “At the same time, in the past we had to pay a fee, which naturally made our products less competitive. But now, consumers in Russia can get products almost on the same day or the next day.”
Though AVP opened only a few months ago, the quality of the product has won Chevron prominent recognition for production of the “Best Product for Industrial Use” at the highly competitive national contest “Best Goods of Kazakhstan 2013” in the industrial use category.
“We are proud that our production is already recognized at the highest level,” said Mendygali Sappayev, Chevron MunaiGas Inc. General Director of the Atyrau Oblast. “We are making our contribution to the development of local machine building and advancing Kazakhstan’s export product potential.”
The valve plant is part of Chevron’s efforts to support the diversification of Kazakhstan’s economy by introducing new technologies and business opportunities to Kazakhstan. In addition to the domestic market in Kazakhstan, AVP has the opportunity to export its product, a strategy which is strongly aligned with government efforts to expand and diversify Kazakhstan’s industrial potential.
Chevron’s new Atyrau Valve Plant (AVP), a $40 million facility, fully operated by local specialists, is unique in Kazakhstan and other CIS countries. AVP is Chevron’s second investment project in the Atyrau Oblast outside of its core oil and gas business and follows the Atyrau Polyethylene Pipe Plant (APPP) that was commissioned in April 2003.
The “Made in Atyrau” label is proudly displayed on the 2,000 valves produced by AVP. The plant produces iron gate valves with diameter range of 80-400 mm for use in water supply, sewage and natural gas transportation systems. AVP’s gate valves are highly competitive as a result of the new manufacturing technology and materials such as rubberized wedge, corrosion resistant coating, as well as time and material efficient installation.
The valve body is epoxy-coated thus providing absolute corrosion protection even when installed in aggressive soil. Absence of friction elements allows for easy operation and long leak-free service life. The product is virtually maintenance-free requiring only that the valves are opened and closed once a year. Epoxy-coating and vulcanised wedges keep their properties over the years.
The iron gate valves save on installation costs because there is no need to invest in expensive pits. There also is no risk of people or animals falling into pits. Reduced set-up time also allows for additional cost savings. Because the valves have no contact between water and metal surfaces, impurities are washed out of the valve, so for the end customer, there is no change in the quality or taste of water.
