The Challenge

A utility provider, had to replace a decommissioned 1.5 mile (2.4 km) steel pipeline that ran beneath beaches, roads, buildings, and residential areas in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The pipeline conveyed processed methane gas from an LNG terminal to an electricity generation station that powered Jamaica’s electrical grid system. The utility provider required that a rehabilitation pipeline be installed quickly via Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) with minimal land disturbance.

The Solution

The utility provider selected FlexSteel’s spoolable pipeline products for the project due to FlexSteel pipe’s long, continuous lengths and high tensile strength. These attributes allow the FlexSteel pipe to be successfully pulled in long sections through an uncased bore hole.

This installation method can be accomplished quickly with the least possible disturbance to the adjacent terrain. Utilizing the unique attributes of FlexSteel pipe, the utility provider chose to create three HDD paths (averaging 2,640-feet in length) to maximize installation speed and minimize surface disturbance. The utility provider hired an engineering firm to design the HDD sections and work with FlexSteel to ensure that the installation went smoothly.

The Result

Using FlexSteel steel-reinforced pipeline products enabled the utility provider to quickly restore the power generation system with minimal downtime. The pipeline now brings power to the Montego Bay area and to Jamaica’s electrical grid system.