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Abstract This paper is based on experiences of implementing the project with application of labour intensive appropriate technology amidst extremely adverse climatic and terrain conditions within a short time frame and yet achieving a strikingly low inch mile cost. Discussion of different aspects of economic technical and mathematical considerations resulted from a close look of its execution and operation is also included to suggest a priority for over coming the limitations in future projects of similar nature and of equivalent or higher magnitude.
Introduction Fast increasing demand of natural gas, need for extended supply area and more operational flexibility of its 1200 mile network initiated Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Co. Ltd. of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation under Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Government of Bangladesh to complete and commission a 1000 psig (70 bar) 52 mile (83 km) gas line project on January 16, 1986 under an US $ 9.2 million credit from Asian Development Bank, Manila.
Spanning from Titas field to Joydebpur 20 miles north of Dhaka city, this incredible this project was executed under an emergent time frame of only 2 working seasons commencing early 1984. This amazing success resulted from choosing an appropriate labour intensive technology mostly based on manual pipelaying operations by all 7 local pipelaying operations by all 7 local contractors who were strategically deployed to work simultaneously at different sections of the pipeline. The 4643 (1415 m) ft 16" (400 mm) OD directional drilling a magnificient component of the project, was however completed through an expatriate contractor.
A combination of open-cut surfacepull, open-cut semi-bottompull and directional drilling methods were successfully applied in crossing 4 rivers to combat navigation, wind and current problems and to retain the overall project cost to lowest possible dollarage per inch mile.
In highlighting these intriguing complexities, adopted technologies, cost elements and engineering adequacies, the following text of the paper will also unearth certain limitations of standard pipelaying codes for NDT in drilled submerged crossing. Further, effect of current and pipe self weight at such crossing installations including enumeration of physical behaviour of pipelines left to rest at the bed shall also be discussed on the perview of its impact on operational life of the system.
Background Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Co. Ltd. has been serving over 2,50,000 Domestic Commercial and Industrial customers with in its franchise area comprising Mid Eastern Part of Bangladesh and has been contributing tremendously in its national economy.
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