McConnell Dowell is please to annouce that we have set a new Direct Pipe® world record, for the longest single drive by a micro tunnel boring machine (MTBM) on Watercare’s Snells Algies wastewater pipe and outfall project.
The project team and ‘Piper’ the MTBM set a record of 2021 metres at 3:45 pm on 28 July 2020, surpassing the previous New Zealand record by 92m. ‘Piper’ was adeptly named by students from Snells Beach School, they provided their handprints to decorate the machine with the intent to “help her on her journey”.
As well as the record distance the closed-faced Herrenknecht machine bored through challenging geological conditions, a curved alignment, and was considered an “essential” project during the COVID-19 lockdown making the achievement even more remarkable.
“This record achievement demonstrates the depth of skill and experience we have in our tunnelling teams, as well as our dedication to working through challenges to deliver another world class project for our customer,” says McConnell Dowell Project Manager Brent Whiting
The project is split into three distinct operations involving a trenched dig and lay section, a Direct Pipe® drive, and marine dredging for the final marine pipeline.
Over 4km of DN630 HDPE pipe has been laid through traditional trenched dig and lay, primarily along public roads and the design incorporated six air valves and seven scour valve chambers.
The outfall section consists of 2021m of trenchless installation of a 1220mm OD steel pipe which is linked to the seabed section of 258m of DN 335 HDPE pipeline.
Upon breakthrough, the MTBM was driven into a pre-dredged trench off the coast at Martins Bay. The machine will be separated from the main steel pipe and lifted to the surface using an in-house designed pontoon that will also be used to transport the MTBM to a local harbour where it will be lifted out using a straddle carrier.
This is the first phase of Watercare’s three-stage scheme to supply the Warkworth, Snells Beach and Algies Bay communities with reliable wastewater services to cater for population growth. The scheme will improve water quality in the Mahurangi Harbour and deliver an upgraded wastewater system.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to share a view of our refreshed Regional Head office in Chai Chee, Singapore. The office is the central hub for the South East Asia Business Unit of the Group and plays an integral part in the streamlining of the operations across Asia.
The refreshed office is ready for our team and visitors as restrictions ease in Singapore and the business progresses towards working in the ‘new normal’.
McConnell Dowell Managing Director for South East Asia, Tom Dockray said the new office marks a continuation of the McConnell Dowell’s presence in South East Asia
“McConnell Dowell has a long and proud history working across South East Asia having first commenced in Singapore in 1971.
“We recognise these are complex times in the region, but our commitment to the region has not changed and we look forward to continuing to develop our business across South East Asia and eventually being able to see our colleagues and customers face to face in our refreshed office.”
General Manager New Business and Strategy for South East Asia Ryan McDonough said he is excited to launch the redeveloped office space “We are here in South East Asia for the long term. I am proud of our team’s ability to continue living our value of Customer Focus throughout this time of uncertainty and adapting to the changed ways of working.
“We will continue to seek opportunities where we can add value to our customers across South East Asia through our permanent offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.”
Tom Dockray and Ryan McDonough at the office in Singapore
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce the signing of a Design and Construct Contract with Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) for the delivery of a Waste Line Replacement at the Parsons Point Alumina Refinery in Gladstone.
This marks the start of what is hoped to be a longstanding partnership with QAL and continues our successful relationship with major shareholder Rio Tinto.
McConnell Dowell’s market leading pipeline construction capability, our expertise in working in marine environments, and our commitment to maximising local participation, provides a strong foundation for project success.
The Waste line Replacement Project encompasses the broad scope of:
- Design of the new Waste Line and the augmentation design of the support structure
- Removal of the existing pipeline
- Augmentation of the support structures, including approximately 1400 piles within tidal and marine zones
- Installation of the new Waste Line- 8.8 km of DN 350 SCH 60 above ground Steel Pipeline
Works have commenced on the project and will be delivered through 2020 and 2021.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announced the award of the contract for civil works on the Thai Oil Clean Fuel Project in Sriracha, Thailand by UJV, the joint venture between Petrofac, Saipem and Samsung Engineering.
The overall project being delivered by UJV will transform the existing oil refinery in Sriracha, into an environmental-friendly facility, that will produce higher quality transportation fuels. The project will also increase the refinery’s production capacity from 275,000 barrels per day to 400,000 barrels per day.
McConnell Dowell’s scope includes earthworks and civil works in both greenfield and brownfield areas to support the overall project of improvement and expansion to the existing facility including the addition of new complex processing units, all required utilities and supporting facilities.
McConnell Dowell Managing Director for South East Asia Tom Dockray said this project will allow us to further develop and grow our existing relationship with not only Thai Oil but also the Joint Venture Partners (Petrofac, Saipem and Samsung Engineering). “This project represents an excellent opportunity for McConnell Dowell to build and enhance our specialist capability in Thailand and strengthen our presence in Sriracha with the recent securing of the Pump Station package for Thai Oil.”
Works have commenced on site and are scheduled to be completed in 2021.
Continuing McConnell Dowell’s legacy of delivering award-winning marine solutions internationally for almost 60 years, the team recently celebrated the installation of the first tubular piles for Port Nelson’s new wharf deck.
The first of the 48, 762mm dia tubular piles have been installed and when complete, these piles will support the new 100m long wharf deck will enable the Port to attract larger 260 to 270 metre vessels and 300 metre cruise vessels. The piles are being driven using an IHC S 200 piling hammer which arrived earlier this month from Singapore.
We are pleased to be helping deliver this important infrastructure for Port Nelson’s Main Wharf North, growing the regional economy and create a legacy that will benefit the local the import and export sectors.
The project is scheduled for completion in late 2020.
Source: https://www.portnelson.co.nz/about-the-port/latest-news/main-wharf-north-continues-to-progress-with-only-minor-delays-from-covid-19/
