HDD proves effective in crossing French river
Gas de France is the primary transporter and distributor of natural gas in France, operating some 28,000 kilometers of gas pipelines. In 1996, Gas de France and Gas du Sud Ouest moved forward with the Artere du Midi consisting of a 375-kilometer gas pipeline, respectively in charge of 200-kilometer and a 175-kilometer sections linking the east and west grids in the southeast of France. A significant part of the Artere du Midi included a crossing of the Rhone River near Aries. The Rhone flows from north to south between the volcanic massif central and the Alps into the Mediterranean Sea. The crossing site is just at the entry of the Rhone delta, where the flow decelerates and erosion deposits of large granular size have occurred for millennia. Geotechnical investigations indicated that the crossing has difficult soil conditions, mostly made of coarse sand with numerous lenses of gravel and cobble. The Rhone delta, once occupied by the Romans is scenic and historic, so the construction method was very sensitive to the local public and tourist. Despite the geotechnical conditions, Gaz de France chose the horizontal directional drilling method for construction because it offers minimal environmental impact and a relatively short construction schedule. The paper discusses the horizontal directional drilling process.
- OSTI ID:
- 514773
- Journal Information:
- Pipeline and Gas Journal, Vol. 224, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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