Project Humber Pipeline Replacement
With Wilko Koop, Director A.Hak International, we take a journey back to 2014. National Grid first signals that a major project is about to hit the market. The existing pipeline running through the River Humber is due for replacement.
The project requires a complex support structure to install the pipeline within the tunnel. This structure must have the same lifespan as the pipeline itself. This challenge provided A.Hak with the opportunity to propose an innovative solution.
The idea emerged to fill the tunnel with water and utilize the pipe’s buoyancy. This approach allows the pipe to be pushed into the tunnel as though it were a boat. The solution proved to be cheaper, faster, and guaranteed an extended lifespan. A.Hak was awarded the contract in collaboration with two other specialized companies. The right team, strong safety statistics, and an innovative solution made all the difference.
"Transforming engineering at its best"
We devised a solution using existing techniques, including the pipe thruster, that was both smarter and more sustainable. The solution was found in the laws of physics and the thrust power of the thruster. While this approach had been used on a smaller scale before, tackling a project of this length and dimension posed a new challenge.
Wilko Koop: "We provided the client with the insight to consider alternative options. With this unique solution, we even dared to apply for a Guinness World Record certificate."
Safety First
The management team’s involvement in the project was exceptionally high. Extensive efforts were made to conduct safety rounds with the client and suppliers to identify potential hazards well in advance. Colleagues at our UK location worked closely with their Dutch counterparts.
COVID-19 presented an additional challenge, as specialized colleagues traveled to the UK without knowing when they would return home. The team was warmly welcomed to the project and embraced the adventure.
The trenchless technique was a key component of this innovation. We use this technique for cables and pipelines, as well as for landing CO₂ pipelines destined for the sea or natural gas production in the Mediterranean. Wilko: "With all these brilliant ideas and techniques, we can captivate and recruit the next generation."