Big sections of the largest-diameter, long-distance pipeline in Australia have begun to be lowered into the ground as construction advances quickly.
The 42-inch (about one metre) diameter steel pipeline, which will be buried for more than 540km, will take gas from fields around Chinchilla to Gladstone as part of QGC’s Queensland Curtis LNG Project (QCLNG).
Over 21km of the pipeline – or about 4% – has been buried near Miles and Wandoan in southern Queensland following safety and integrity testing.
About 1,250 people are involved in constructing the pipeline – preparing the easement, welding and testing the welds, digging the trench and burying the pipeline.
All 46,200, 12-metre lengths of pipe have been delivered to sites along the route in preparation for welding and burial.
QCLNG Pipelines Project Director Norman Ingram said that burial of pipe was a significant milestone in construction of the project.
“About 260km of the pipeline easement has been prepared and about 240km of pipe has been laid out along the route,” Mr Ingram said.
“More than 16,000 lengths of pipe have been welded and all the welds undergo rigorous testing using the automatic ultrasonic testing method to ensure they meet Australian and international standards.
“QGC requires every weld to be inspected, tested and verified before the pipe can be laid in the trench and buried.
“Safety is our highest priority and we are pleased that all of this activity has taken place without a significant safety incident.”
The pipeline is being constructed to Australian Standard AS 2885 which covers safety and engineering specifications for large-diameter, high-pressure gas transmission pipelines.
The Queensland Government’s Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate regularly reviews progress and QGC’s adherence to safety, design, and construction standards.
The pipeline is being engineered and constructed by a joint venture of McConnell Dowell and Consolidated Contracting Company Australia.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, June 12, 2012