Being a pioneer of the Direct Pipe Technology at East European Region our specialists often take on the function of presenting the technology to the industry representatives. Sergey Yanushkevich, Deputy General Director of BELTRUBOPROVODSTROY for Logistics and Mechanisation, answered some questions of “Gasstroyprom” about the Direct Pipe Technology:

In your opinion, what are the non-obvious advantages of the Direct Pipe method?

One of the key benefits of the Direct Pipe Technology is that, unlike traditional pipe-laying methods by the river bottom, the pipe is laid at depths of up to 10 meters below the river at a Direct Pipe crossing. As a result there is no risk of the pipe surfacing and being damaged during the long-term operation of the pipeline. In the Direct Pipe method the pipelines are far more likely to float.

Compared to another trenchless method – directional drilling – the Direct Pipe method saves up to 60% in the use of drilling ingredients and significantly reduces disposal costs. During directional drilling the pipe slots can be as much as 500 mm around the pipe, and with Direct Pipe Technology – just up to 2o mm with the hole is drilled directly into the pipe profile. And when you consider the lower environmental impact – the choice is obvious.

When would you recommend Direct Pipe for a customer?

Each project undergoes a lengthy period of study before being recommended. If you need only in two words: when customer having complex ground conditions but still aims at economy and ecology.

The first is difficult soils, permafrost and rock formations. Choosing the Direct Pipe method is more cost effective and ensures the integrity of the pipe coating. The HDD method would have required more manpower, time and technology to drill into these difficult soils.

Compared to subsea engineering for a major river crossing, by selecting the Direct Pipe method, the impact on flora, fauna and aquatic life is negligible. Instead of using divers, building pontoons and actively interfering with river life during construction, we work without disturbing the river bed, and our activities have no impact on the river’s biosphere.

What would you metaphorically compare this method to? Perhaps there is a counterpart to a once famous breakthrough technology?

To call the method some kind of revolutionary or breakthrough would be misleading. In fact, the technique is a long-established hybrid of two effective methods of construction in Europe – directional drilling and microtunnelling. Yes, Direct Pipe has taken the best of them, but in fact it remains a complete solution that allows for cost-effective crossings, with less risk of damage to the pipeline’s insulation coating, in tight spaces and in all soil classes. Although the method is relatively new in Russia, it has been trusted in Europe for 15 years.

*the photos are for illustrative purposes only