Ploughing technology traditionally used in the rollout of fibre optics has been scaled up to provide a new method of installing gathering pipelines.
The ploughing technology uses a unique ripper and chute design to displace the soil, and the guidance system then pulls the pipe into the trench. Unlike open trenching systems, the furrow in the earth created by the plough closes quickly under its own weight and is easily compacted.
A specially designed all-terrain, all-weather mobile winch vehicle (FWF 80 and FWF 82) pulls the plough vehicle (FSP 220 and 22) using a cable. The winch vehicle is anchored into the ground, avoiding the churning and mixing together of top soils so often associated with tracked or wheeled vehicles and trenching.
The plough vehicle’s every leg operates independently, allowing the equipment to work easily in undulating terrain. The tip of the plough blade forms and clears the laying bed at specific depths. Then, using a patented guidance system, a pipe insertion unit is dragged along the bed and the pipe is inserted into the cavity with minimal risk of damage.
Australia’s coal seam gas (CSG) sector saw the arrival of the first FSP 220 Fockersperger from Germany in July 2010.
The plough is suitable for cable and pipe from 315-600 mm in diameter, and can bury the pipe at depths up to 2.5 m.
According to Director Brenton Euler, Pipe and Civil is the first to bring this new ploughing technology to Australia, and in doing so will become the largest pipeline and cable ploughing contractor in the country.
“Pipe and Civil is always looking for better ways to deliver our service, now by applying this technology and customising it to the local requirements we have once again set ourselves apart from the pack and are positioned as a leader in CSG upstream gathering innovation,”? said Mr Euler.
“This new pipeline system will be more cost-efficient in Australia because of the increase in production capability. It’s also safer due to the lack of open trench and reduces the environmental impact when compared to current pipeline burial methods.
“A reduced construction easement combined with lower levels of soil disturbance is a win for the environment and landowners,”? Mr Euler said.