(HVJ) gas pipeline network was executed and commissioned by GAIL
(India) Ltd in 1987, the east-west pipeline is the next single largest
project undertaken in India.
Implemented by Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure Ltd (RGTIL),
a company promoted by the promoters of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL),
at a cost of about $4 billion, the east-west network has been laid to
ferry gas from RIL's prolific Krishna Godavari Basin Block.
The 1,385-km pipeline traverses the four States of Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Speaking to Business Line, Mr R. K. Dhadda, Managing Director, RGTIL,
said: "It would not be proper to compare the two pipeline projects
(HVJ and the east-west network). The implementation timeline of the
two projects is different. Besides, the physical structure of the two
projects is also different."
The 1,700-km HVJ network passes through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. Currently, the HVJ
pipeline is over 2,800 km long. The design capacity of HVJ is such
that it can transport 33.4 mmscmd of gas and the diameter of the
pipeline is up to 36 inches. The east-west pipeline network can
transport 80 mmscmd of gas and has diameter of 48 inches.
Inter-connect pipelines
RGTIL is also in the process of implementing four pipelines that will
interconnect with the east-west network. These are the 1,100-km
Kakinada-Haldia, 600-km Kakinada-Chennai, 670-km Chennai- Tuticorin
and the 660-km Chennai-Bangalore-Mangalore pipeline networks.
"Relogistics Infrastructure Ltd (Relog), a 100 per cent subsidiary of
RGTIL, will be implementing these projects to enable faster
implementation, better control over logistics and efficient
financing," Mr Dhadda said, adding that the target is to complete
these projects by third quarter of 2012.
Implementation of the east-west pipeline network was taken up after
formal authorisation by the Government in August 2004. In December
2005 the project was kicked off, he said, and the physical work was
commenced in December 2006. The commencement of commercial operations
started in April 2009.
There were people from 30 nationalities, including Chinese, Russians,
Turks and Austrians involved in the project. While RGTIL was managing
the entire project there were eight main contractors working on it,
and about 500 different contractors doing other jobs, he said.
For smooth operations of the pipeline there are nine compressor
stations equi-spaced along the route and two compressor stations at
Bhadbhut for interconnection with the Gujarat State Petronet Ltd
(GSPL) and GAIL (India) networks. The main pipeline operation centre
at Navi Mumbai will be a back-up for the main centre at Gadimoga,
Andhra Pradesh, Mr Dhadda said.
Safety, challenges
Asked about the safety measures, he said, "end-to-end communication
systems have been established. SCADA systems have been installed for
remote monitoring and control of east-west pipeline."
On the challenges the company faced while implementing the project he
said: "RoU acquisition involving over 78,000 landowners spread over
634 villages across four States, public hearings in 19 districts along
the pipeline route, logistics, procurement of raw material and
mobilisation of construction equipment, were some of the challenges
the project faced."
"Besides, the challenges of harsh geographical terrain cannot be
forgotten. We undertook over 800 km of trenching in rock, more than
150 km in marshy and slushy coastal land with a limited working
window, and over 100 major river crossings," he said.
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