UK utility company National Grid is trialling technology that could revolutionise the way gas pipes are repaired by using a ‘keyhole’ technique to reduce the size of excavations in the carriageway
National Grid is the first utility to trial both the vacuum and coring technology together in this country and has shipped two trucks across from the US with a team of mechanics to demonstrate and train UK staff in the techniques in an extensive two-month field trial.
The technology is already used by National Grid’s US business and allows engineers to drill small holes and repair the underground pipes using long handled tools.
As well as reducing the time taken to repair gas pipes and the size of excavation in the roadways, the technique also allows the original road surface to be replaced immediately. Using less material brings environmental benefits and the whole task becomes less labour intensive for the engineers.
With the introduction of the Traffic Management Act, if adopted, this technology would be mutually beneficial with less disruption for the public and also more cost effective for UK utility companies.
National Grid owns and operates over 6,800 kilometres of high pressure gas transmission pipeline across Great Britain. It also has 132,000 kilometres of gas distribution pipelines in the North West, Midlands, East Anglia and North London – owning more than half of Britain’s gas transportation network, to deliver gas to around 11 million homes, offices and factories.
For more information, visit www.nationalgrid.com/uk/gas
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