Budimex signed ageneral agreement with GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. for the construction of the Warszawa Gas Pipeline, with alength of 28 km, under a‘build’ system. This gas pipeline project was entrusted tothe same Polish contractor who previously completed the Baltic Pipe section inatimely manner in2022. Budimex’s tender received the highest rating inthe tender proceedings, and was chosen asthe most favourable inDecember 2022.
The gas pipeline will run from Rembelszczyzna toMory inthe northwestern part of Warszawa. The net value of the contract is 188 million zloty.The construction is due tostart immediately after signing the contract. The completion deadline is 24 months from the date of the conclusion of the contract, which is inthe first half of 2025. The warranty period is 36years.
Warszawa gas pipeline is astrategic infrastructural project for Warszawa and this region of Poland. The construction of the new gas pipeline should improve the accessibility of natural gas for both industrial consignees and the inhabitants of the Warszawa region. Afunctional gas pipeline should reduce the emission of harmful substances, and hence improve the quality of air inthe capital.
The investment also includes the construction of:
- an optical-fibre network,
- aDN700/DN100 underground connection unit, which allows connection tothe existing Jabłonna gas station,
- agas station located inthe immediate vicinity of the existing gas station,
- switching systems which involve connecting the constructed gas pipeline with the existing transmission gas pipeline.
- apedestrian – bicycle route with alength of 1.4 km, running alongside the existing pedestrian – bicycle route, toconstitute emergency access for firefighting services,
- acathodic protection system including cathodic protection stations with anode electrodes and galvanic anode stations.
Modern technologies
More than 5 km of the route, which constitutes 1/5 of the gas pipeline length, is tobemade using trenchless methods – the plan includes 32 passages of varying lengths. These include five ‘long passages’ – two horizontal directional drillings (HDD) and three Direct Pipe passages. This way of construction significantly reduces environmental interference – valuable natural areas, such asŁawice Kiełpińskie Preserve onthe Wisła river orPark Młociński onBielany, should remain unscathed.
The horizontal directional drilling technology, known asHDD, will beused topass under the bed of the Wisła river and the Ławice Kiełpińskie Preserve, for alength of approx. 1149 metres. This will allow the Preserve’s valuable natural area tobebypassed and tomaintain the continuity of river transport. Another HDD drilling is planned for the Las Nowa Warszawa (Młocińskiego) area. The trenchless directing of the gas pipeline onaroute of approx. 1200 metres will allow the maintenance of local trees.
The other trenchless method used is the Direct Pipe. For the purpose of preserving the tree stand, this technology is planned tobeused:
- under Park Młociński for alength of approx. 526 m,
- inthe allotment area onBielany – the gas pipeline is tobeconstructed underground, without trenches, for alength of approx. 320 m (the area alongside the Wisła’s Shaft is adjacent toPark Młociński),
- under Modlińska street and inthe forest area onthe western side of Modlińska street for alength of approx. 529 m (the forested area between Modlińska street, towards the Wisła river).
Environmental protection
Anumber of environmental protection measures have been taken during the process of designing the Warszawa Gas Pipeline. The construction and assembly line inforested areas should benarrowed to15 metres during the construction stage (the standard width is 18-20 m) – this is the minimum width required for conducting the works and supplying the site with construction elements.
Anumber of trenchless crossings have been designed onthe gas pipeline route, especially inthe following forest areas: Park Młociński, Las Nowa Warszawa and forest area inthe vicinity of Modlińska street. They should allow the gas pipeline tobecreated deep underground, which is beneficial for the environment.
Local species of trees are also going tobeplanted inthe investment lane after the construction is complete. Additional volitional planting has been planned asapart of the eco-friendly measures aimed atprotecting the natural environment within the Warszawa area.
The use of trenchless technology not only reduces the environmental interference but also allows the easier crossing of different obstacles inthe terrain, such asroads, flyovers and watercourses: rivers and canals. Traffic should not beinterrupted during the construction because the roads will becrossed via jacking.
All of these measures affected the final cost of construction, and their environmental benefits are substantial. The technically exacting trenchless crossings are particularly important for preserving the tree stands.
Basic parameters and adescription of the investment:
- high pressure gas pipeline
- diameter: 700 mm,
- operating pressure: 8.4 MPa,
- length: approx. 28.5 km.
