GAZ-SYSTEM Performs Horizontal Directional Drilling under Vistula River in Poland

In relation to the construction of a high-pressure pipeline between Rembelszczyzna and Gustorzyn, on the 29-30th of January 2013, the company GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. has carried out final works related to drilling of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD), 1339 m long, under the Vistula River.

This is one of the longest and in engineering terms most complicated passes using the HDD method in Poland.

During the construction of the gas pipeline between Rembelszczyzna and Gustorzyn, 700 mm in diameter and 176 km long, 19 such drillings were altogether planned in the area of Mazowieckie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodships inter alia under roads, railway tracks, rivers, canals and water reservoirs, in total around 8300 m long.

The execution of HDD drilling under the Vistula River was started already in September 2012 and was divided into three stages, using for that the top quality equipment.

So-called pilot drilling was made in phase one. This stage was aimed at drilling under the obstacle, using the drilling equipment in accordance with the previously planned drilling axis. Experienced navigation system operators, in cooperation with boring rigs operators, determined the pilot drilling exit with the accuracy of dozen or so centimetres.

After performance of the pilot drilling (reaching the drilling end point), the drilling equipment was dismantled and replaced with equipment for the drilling diameter expansion. The drilling was performed at a depth exceeding 42 m, in varying geological conditions.

Expansion of the drilling under the Vistula River was carried out in two passes. A roller type equipment, 500 mm in diameter, was used in the first pass, while in the second pass the drilling expansion was carried out in a system of four tools.

Finally, the prepared accessories, including the pipe, were pulled through the drilling on the 30th of January 2013, completing the work.

“On the route of Rembelszczyzna-Gustorzyn gas pipeline construction, in especially difficult geological conditions, we have executed one of the longest river passes of such type in Europe, using the HDD method. After 30 hours our team in cooperation with an experienced contractor has successfully completed this complicated project.

We have passed a very important stage of high-pressure pipeline construction, which ultimately will allow transmission of increased gas volumes to the northern-eastern and central Poland” – summarises Mr Henryk Oracz, the GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. Project Manager.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, February 05, 2013; Image: GAZ-SYSTEM