Trunklines Northern Pipeline

Type of project: Gas infrastructure

Client: QGC Shell
Location: Surat Basin, Queensland
Completed in: 2014

Spiecapag completed the construction of 51km of gas pipelines (DN350, DN400 and DN500); 167km of buried high-voltage cables; 23km of water trunkline (DN600, MSCL); and 84km of fibre optic cable as part of the upstream portion of works for the larger QCLNG project.

The project was a brownfield development, and the construction was made more complex by the high number of trenches in the same working width: one particular stretch of right of way had seven trenches running in parallel which gave rise to challenges with work area management and simultaneous operations.

The project successfully delivered one hundred and fifty-five crossings of road, water courses, or existing pipelines, with forty-five special crossings carried out under strict permit-to-work conditions. Mid-line isolation valve assemblies, above ground pressure regulating stations (including duty and standby runs, isolation valves, drain valves, pressure indicators, pressure transmitters, and solar powered RTU’s), high point vents and scour outlets were installed by dedicated crews or subcontractors directly managed by Spiecapag.

The water pipeline was completed with zero defects, and all seven hydrotest sections passed at the first test. Most importantly, the project was completed with zero incidents and a TRIFR of 0.00, thanks to the implementation of project-specific safety initiatives developed in house. The project was recognised with awards for its safety performance.