Contractors have completed jacking a three mile gas pipeline under England's River Humber, setting a new world record. The pipeline consists of eight separate pipe strings, which are inserted with a mechanical thruster. As part of the process the individual strings are then welded together, tested, and coated.
According to Construction Inquirer, two hydraulic thrust machines began carefully pushing eight 2,034 foot-long sections of pipe into a pre-bored tunnel. Each 850-ton pipe section was steadily pushed at around three feet per minute into the tunnel, which had been flooded with 1.8 million cubic feet of pure and treated water to aid the installation.
After one pipe section had been installed, the next was moved into position and welded to the one in front. The push continued until all three miles of pipeline were fully installed on July 9, becoming the world’s longest hydraulically inserted pipe.
Project partners Skanska, A.Hak, and Porr built the tunnel under the river to replace a trench-laid gas pipe which had become exposed. When gas begins to flow through the pipeline towards the end of this year, it will help ensure a reliable and resilient supply of up to 25 percent of Britain's gas.
Source: Construction Inquirer & Yorkshire Post
