The upgrade involved inserting a new 250 mm diameter polyethylene (PE) gas main into an existing 11 km section of existing steel gas main in the roadway and road reserve along Wakehurst Parkway, between Frenchs Forest and North Narrabeen.
Georg Fischer adopted a partnership approach with Jemena on this project. Not only did Georg Fischer supply product to Jemena, it also provided extensive support, including regular site visits and installation monitoring by its staff.
The project involved the use of SDR 9 PE100 pipe supplied by Georg Fischer, and included Georg Fischer Elgef and butt weld fittings, electrofusion welders and installation tools.
The project is the first PE gas job in Australia designed to continuously operate at 1,050 kilopascals for the entirety of its service life, and there are high expectations on the pipe, as this has never been accomplished before. Significant engineering work was required to enable the new PE 100 SDR 9 material to be used and to allow it to operate at this pressure.
Jemena says that construction work started in September 2010 and was completed before the end of March 2011 on time, on budget and with no lost time injuries.