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SP AusNet turns up the pressure on Victoria’s gas distribution network

SP AusNet, the owner of the Victorian gas distribution network across central and western Victoria, is replacing and upgrading 5.6 km of lowpressure gas mains within and surrounding Urwin Street. The replacement program will minimise possible supply issues and improve reliability and safety to more than 520 properties in the area.

SP AusNet Manager Gas Services Dean Comrie said that the project to replace the existing gas network with highpressure modern polyethylene forms part of the company’s annual Gas Mains Replacement Strategy to replace lowpressure gas mains.

“Once completed, we will see the designated low-pressure mains upgraded to high-pressure standard that will increase reliability and efficiency for our customers in this area,”? he says.

In 2011-12, SP AusNet will spend in excess of $A10 million replacing aged low-pressure gas pipes. The low-pressure distribution system accounts for 14 per cent – or 1,354 km – of the total distribution network.

Under SP AusNet’s current mains renewal program, 45 km of mains in the Melbourne metropolitan area and 40 km in the Geelong and regional areas are scheduled to be replaced by 30 March 2012.

SP AusNet Lead Engineer – Asset Development Mark Cooper says “Renewing our aged low-pressure network to high pressure is consistent with our current approach in laying new mains and services to greenfield estates and business.”?

High-pressure assets are constructed from the latest materials that have a high joint integrity, minimising network faults which may result in outages.

“The current strategy aims to replace the entire low-pressure network by 2025,”? Mr Cooper said.

Upgrade challenges

Mr Comrie says that a lot of planning is invested into SP AusNet’s upgrade projects to ensure minimal disruption to customers and residents.

“Safety is always our main priority and biggest consideration. Those property owners who may experience gas supply issues during these planned works have all been notified in advance and we are working hard to reduce any inconvenience to the public and our customers,”? he says.

Prior to any construction taking place, SP AusNet always ensures that it has mailed residents to inform them that the works in their area will be carried out and what – if any – disruption to supply will take place.

“Construction techniques such as insertion of the existing mains are also employed to minimise local streetscape disruption during the renewal phase,”? adds Mr Cooper.

According to Mr Cooper, one of the biggest technical challenges of upgrading the gas mains is the identification of theareas to be renewed, which involves analysis and weighting of historical maintenance records along with consideration for risk, age, size, material type and location of the main itself. The company must also consider future growth within the area, and how to facilitate connection to the existing high pressure network.

Once the renewal areas are identified, three types of construction techniques will be employed to replace the mains: open-cut, boring, and insertion of the existing mains.

Mr Cooper says “While large crossings such as rail, river and multi-lane highways may require specialised equipment, it is SP AusNet’s policy to maximise the use of mains insertion where permissible.”?

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