The Western Outer Ring Main (WORM) project is a high pressure, buried gas transmission pipeline, approximately 51km long. kwik-ZIP’s input involved the utilisation of various products for numerous cased crossings along the project pipeline route.
The gas transmission pipeline aims to provide a new connection between existing pipelines at Plumpton in Melbourne’s west and Wollert in the north.
Several different kwik-ZIP spacers – HDX-38’s, HDX-125 and HDXT-63’s – were utilised on different cased crossings along the pipeline route.
The pipeline will address a key capacity constraint in the Victorian Transmission System (VTS) by providing a new high-pressure connection between existing sources of natural gas supply in Victoria.
Addressing this missing link will deliver improved network reliability by increasing the amount of gas that can be stored for times of peak demand.
It will also ensure sufficient volumes of gas can be moved where it is needed most.
Importantly, without the project being delivered, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has forecast that parts of Victoria may soon face natural gas supply shortages by 2023.
The pipeline will be constructed from high-strength steel line pipe with an external epoxy coating and be buried for its entire length to a minimum depth of 900mm.
As well as assisting with the slip lining process because of the spacer runner system having a very low co-efficient of friction, kwik-ZIP’s all thermoplastic design ensured that the pipes protective coating would not be damaged during installation, thanks to the runners ensuring that the pipe wouldn’t make contact with the enveloper during and after installation.
kwik-Zip was the right choice for the WORM project, as the company’s large range of spacers cater for a wide range of carrier and casing pipe size combinations as well as providing flexibility to deal with different project requirements.
kwik-ZIP’s HDXT & HDX Series spacers have been successfully appraised by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) with both products the only casing spacers on the market that have been approved as compliant by WSAA.
The use of kwik-ZIP products helps contractors to comply with the numerous regulations that require casing centralisers or pipe spacers – slippers or spiders – including wastewater and sewerage codes and well construction standards.
But the use of such advanced technology comes with prerequisites: it’s best to know everything about them to use them at their best capacity.
If you are a pipeline installer or engineering consultant, kwik-ZIP technical sessions are made for you.
Paul Jeffreys, General Manager at kwik-ZIP, said the sessions are beneficial to improving the industries spacer and centraliser knowledge.
“Technical sessions are designed to provide an increased knowledge and understanding of the kwik-ZIP product range, when they are needed or required,” he said.
“The sessions are also focussed on the numerous benefits linked to spacers use, and an understanding of relevant industry standards and codes.
“The sessions also circle back to installation guidelines as well as some tips – all highlighted using real project examples.”
Sessions are provided on demand as requested, which ensure each session is a repository of knowledge for the participants and can be tailored to suit.
“We have done a number of sessions already to specific pipeline installers and engineering consultants,” Jeffreys said.
“We have also presented similar sessions in the past to the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT) technical forums.”
The themes of these sessions include, but are not limited to:
- When are pipe spacers needed or required?
- Benefits of using pipe spacers.
- Industry standards and codes.
- Spacer installation guidelines and tips, including project examples.
According to Jeffreys, the technical sessions are always unique and varied, thanks to the participants’ input.
“Questions vary dependent on the focus of the session – for example engineering consultants are interested in the benefits of the products with respect to their design whereas installers or contractors are interested in guidelines and tips for installation when on site,” he said.
So far, the sessions have been a hit among the gas and oil professionals.
“Feedback has been positive, and attendees have indicated that the sessions have provided them with added knowledge and information that is relevant and useful,” Jeffreys said.
This article featured in the September edition of The Australian Pipeliner.
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