All About Construction
How to Determine a Pipeline Route
Route determination represents one of the most significant aspects of gas pipeline construction planning. Therefore, great attention is paid to this process. The first step is to study the maps and to consolidate the needs with the possibilities offered by the landscape. Then it is necessary to consider all potential constraints (inhabited areas, protected natural sparks, etc.) or topographical barriers. This is followed by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) performed for the entire pipeline length, which is a prerequisite for obtaining the consent of the Ministry of Environment pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 100/2001 Coll. Finally, it is necessary to obtain the consent of landowners for the execution of boreholes and geotechnical measurements.
NET4GAS has received a positive opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment of the structure in September, 2008. The construction of the pipeline in the route running along the existing gas pipelines and diverting from them only in the Mladotice – Chomutov section has been recommended as the most suitable option.
How the Pipeline Will Influence Your Life
Both proposed routes lead through open landscape, mainly along existing pipelines, away from cities or inhabited areas. The designer (RWE Plynoprojekt) will approach all owners of the land affected by the planned pipeline route and execute agreements with them establishing easements. The investor (NET4GAS) intends to provide the landowners with monetary compensation for the right-of-way and restrictions caused by the construction (pipeline construction on the plot, removal of structures that might jeopardize the safety of the natural gas transmission, etc.). The establishment of easements represents the only burden for the landowners. It is stipulated by Act No. 458/2000 Coll., which determines the obligation to maintain a protective zone of four meters to each side of the horizontal projection of the pipeline. To protect lives, health, and the property of persons, a so-called security zone is set up. This security zone is a strip of land with a width of 200 meters to both sides of the pipeline. For construction projects that are of public significance, the act also allows for expropriation.
The method of the new pipeline construction will be based on firmly established best practices of modern industrial management, and will be executed in accordance with a number of Czech and international standards and regulations. This means that a plan for the management of noise and construction-related transport over local roads will be drawn up in advance, together with a plan to minimize the impact of construction on the landscape and environment in general. Landowners and local authorities will be informed about working hours, relevant measures, and about the duration of construction activities.
The pipeline construction will be connected with minimal land annexation at a width of 36 meters (30 meters in forest sections).
Passages under the railways, motorway, and Class I, II, and III roads will be constructed using so-called “pushing”, i.e. without any damage (excavation) to the surface.
The distance of the pipeline from the boundaries of continuous residential areas is, in most cases, more than 300 meters. The pipeline, with a width of 1.4 meters, will be buried no less than 0.8 meters under the ground. The stripped soil will be stored so as to prevent its mixing with the underlying layers. The soil will be returned to its original location after construction. The soil above the pipeline can thus be cultivated with normal agricultural means without any limitation. In forested sections, a free strip of land two meters wide on each side of the pipeline axis will be maintained. The pipeline operation does not cause any noise, it does not pollute the air or impair the environment, and does not infringe on the comfort of the population in any way.
An optical cable will be placed in the trench with the pipeline – its purpose will be to ensure the monitoring and operation of the pipeline. NET4GAS uses so-called “pigs” to examine the condition of the pipeline. This device moves through the pipeline propelled by gas overpressure, i.e. by its own force. Therefore, the regular inspection of the condition of the pipeline does not require any excavation.