Derrick Butterfield, Volvo Construction
Equipment, Germany,
highlights the
advantages of a rotating pipelayer concept for
lowering-in operations and steep slope work.
‘O
ne of the most challenging projects in Europe’ is
how the Megalopolis project for the expansion
of the Greek natural gas transmission system was
described; complicated due to mountain terrain,
steep slopes and rocky conditions. It is also the largest and most
expensive high-pressure gas pipeline ever built in the country.
This project, owned by DESFA – the gas transmission system
operator in Greece – entailed a 143 km section using 24 in. pipe
and a 15.5 km stretch using 30 in. pipe and was completed in 2013.
In this mountainous region of the Peloponnese, altitudes may
not be very high, but there are always ups and downs, with the
to the challenge
Figure 1.
Boom uphill and
the upper structure locked,
for perfect stability and safe
operation when the slopes
get steep.
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