The Berwyndale to Wallumbilla Pipeline (BWP) links the Queensland Gas Company’s (QGC’s) gas fields, providing an increased capacity for the transport of QGC’s gas into western Queensland and ultimately to the southern states. The 115 km, 400 mm diameter, high pressure pipeline has been constructed from a point approximately 8.5 km east of the township of Miles – adjacent to the Condamine Power Station – and runs to the Wallumbilla Gas Hub.
Before construction, AGL undertook extensive environmental surveys to identify areas of environmental significance along the pipeline right of way and refined the pipeline route to minimise any environmental impact. Working closely with the Environmental Protection Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife, AGL re-routed the pipeline to avoid strands of remnant Brigalow. The company also employed a fauna handler to remove wildlife from the pipeline trench during construction. More than 900 animals were removed for their protection, including endangered, vulnerable, rare and regionally significant species.
AGL also used a program of audits, inspections and controls to ensure strict compliance with project approvals, especially the environmental management plan.
Diversified Construction Corporation (DCC) commenced construction of the pipeline in September 2008. Sister company Ackroyd Engineering Services (AES) was involved in the construction of the end of line facilities and associated station piping work.
A challenging construction process included pipeline crossings at Dogwood and Yuleba Creeks using horizontal directional drilling techniques, as well as traversing grazing, agricultural and forestry land. Periods of wet weather did not stop the pipeline being installed before Christmas with commissioning of the system completed in February this year.
DCC Special Projects Manager Graeme McAinch described the project as a commitment by DCC in developing a major portion of coal seam gas transportation infrastructure.
“The pipeline will allow AGL to deliver coal seam gas from the Wallumbilla Gas Hub to markets in eastern Australia. It allows access to Brisbane, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mt Isa, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney,”? he said.
“DCC is extremely proud of its achievements on this project and in particular consider the innovative fauna program a great success.”?
Some of the environmental requirements included ensuring that noxious weed spread was eliminated by the washing down of all equipment and areas of endangered flora were avoided.
An AGL spokesperson said that the company has been impressed with the outcome of the project, bearing in mind the constraints experienced due to the wet weather.
The spokesperson said that valuable information collected from the fauna program will be utilised by the company’s environmental teams to ensure future projects have an even smaller impact on the local environment.