Bechtel completes interesting twin gas line project in Algeria

Bechtel, Inc. has recently completed an unusual 90 km (56 miles) of dual 36-in. gas line in the gas producing area of Hassi R'mel, Algeria. The administrative requirements for custom clearance of imported materials and the logistics of hauling the pipe and materials to the job site using the Algerian nationalized transport system required a long period of time. The API 5LX grade 60 pipe, of Japanese manufacture, was delivered to the Port of Mostagenem, then hauled by truck and rail to an existing double-jointing plant located at Djelfa. After double-jointing operations were completed, the pipe was hauled by truck the remaining 230 km (143 miles) to the job site. Construction was rapidly accomplished between Jan. and April, 1979, with testing of the lines completed in June, 1979. The dual pipeline system connects 4 gas processing plants with 2 natural gas reinjection stations in the Hassi R'mel area. Construction of the pipeline required virtually all the ditch to be shot. Other requirements were asphalt coating and glass outer wrap, flood coating of field joints by hand, sand ditch padding, and a total of 38 pieces of heavy construction equipment.