National Grid awards £100m contract for River Humber pipeline project in UK

UK-based National Grid has awarded a £100m contract to Skanska, PORR Bau and A.Hak joint venture (JV) to design and build a replacement gas pipeline within a tunnel, underneath the River Humber.

The pipeline will be 5.4km long, of which 5km would be tunnelled. It will connect to the existing National Grid AGI sites at Paull and Goxhill.

The pipeline will replace the existing pipeline that lies on the riverbed and will transport natural gas at a pressure of 70barg.

National Grid senior project manager Phil Croft said: "This pipeline will be the longest gas pipeline in a tunnel, inserted in a single string in the world.

"Skanska, PORR and A.Hak were able to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge throughout the tender process, giving us the confidence that this was the right company to build this tunnel and pipeline in such an environmentally sensitive and commercially busy river."

Under the three-year project, estimated to cost around £150m, the JV will provide design and construction of the 5km tunnel underneath the river Humber.

A single string of 42in steel pipe will be inserted and connected into the above ground installations (AGIs) at Paull and Goxhill.

Skanska operations director Colin Nicol said: "The joint venture was formed to deliver this complex project, bringing together international expertise to deliver in an innovative, sustainable and collaborative way.

"This work will protect the pipeline for the long-term, helping National Grid to provide a vital service to millions of people."

The River Humber pipeline is part of the national transmission system and connects the import terminal at Easington to the wider network and deliver gas to UK customers.

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Image: The 5.4km long pipeline will connect to the existing National Grid AGI sites at Paull and Goxhill. Photo: © Skanska.