Río Negro, Neuquén, La Pampa and Buenos Aires, Argentina
We built the President Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline (GPNK), an energy infrastructure work connecting Vaca Muerta to the rest of the country, and expanding Argentina’s natural gas transportation capacity by 30%.
kilometers of pipelines
employees
pieces of equipment used
Construction of Lines 1 and 2, and Line 4 (complementary work) of the President Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline.
Start date
employees at the peak of work.
tubes used.
hours of training.
pieces of equipment used.
End date
Start date
employees at the peak of work.
tubes used.
hours of training.
pieces of equipment used.
End date
| Customer | Energía Argentina (ENARSA) |
| Scope of work | EPC |
Segment
Oil & Gas
Some of the most advanced pipeline construction technologies in the business were incorporated to ensure the team could meet the tight deadlines for this work. These included state-of-the-art techniques such as automatic welding, the double joint plants, and horizontal directed drilling (HDD). The project saw teams working simultaneously from both ends until they converged at the middle point of the pipeline course. Over 1,500 different teams were mobilized, accompanied by strong talent attraction drive, including and training personnel with a total of over 40,000 hours of training.
An infrastructure project that expands Argentina's gas transportation system.
Lines 1 and 2 run from Vaca Muerta (Tratayén), province of Neuquén, to Km 440 of the trunk line, in Doblas, in the province of La Pampa. Line 4 envisages the construction of the 73-km Mercedes-Cardales gas pipeline, in the province of Buenos Aires.
Provinces
Latitude
Longitude
2022-2023
Stocking and storage
The pipes are stored at strategic points, seeking to minimize transport times. As the pipeline advances, the collection points move as well, keeping pace with requirements.
Double Joint Plant
The double joint plant receives two 12-meter pipes, and deploys an automated welding process to transform them into one single 24-meter tube, reducing the number of pipes that have to be transported and welded on site.
Right-of-way
The right-of-way is cleared and leveled to enable machinery, equipment and personnel to carry out all the maneuvers required as they perform the ensuing operations. Prior to this phase, decisions are taken as to which existing roads will be used and new access roads are built as-and-when necessary.
Defile
The pipes, already welded in double joints, are moved to one side of the future pipeline course. For the pipeline defile, excavators using a vacuum lift system or sidebooms (pipelayers) are used.
Welding
The state-of-the-art automated welding system reduces work times by increasing the number of tubes that can be welded per day, minimizing errors and ensuring the production rate is predictable.
Coating
Pipes are protected against corrosion thanks to a special coating, applied after cleaning and sandblasting the joint. Epoxy adhesive is then placed over the area to be coated, and finally a film of coating is fused on using a blowtorch to melt it into place.
Lowering
Sideboom pipelayers are used to trench the pipes. The idea is to ensure that they are bearing the right load to allow for safe operation, as any wrong movement could cause the pipe section to bend or break.
Alejandro Cardone · GPNK Project Manager
“The GPNK project presented us with very demanding deadlines and logistical hurdles in terms of coordinating camps, personnel, equipment and resources. However, strategic planning, the utilization of technology and swift response capabilities were key factors in helping us to succeed.”
Mariana Zalazar · Pointer on Line 1 at PK 92
"Working on this gas pipeline was an incredible experience, we created a terrific group of professionals who were keen to share their knowledge and experiences and mentor the next generation."
Juan Carlos País · Quality, Environment, Health and Safety at Techint E&C
“We always ensure that QHSE puts people first, ensuring their safety and well-being. We want our people to feel confident and protected while carrying out their tasks, ensuring they make it home safe and sound at the end of the day. Our aim is for them to feel safe and carry out all their tasks with due attention to prevention.”
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