Protection of underground structures | GEOCEAN - ENERGYTEX®
09/12/2021
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Port-La Nouvelle is the 3rd largest French port in the Mediterranean, 2nd for petroleum product imports, and 1st for cereal exports, owned by the Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée Region since 2007. Benefitting from high-quality infrastructure and a comprehensive service offering, the port handles all categories of goods: petroleum products, liquefied gas, food and industrial liquids, cereals, dry bulk and agri-food products, diverse goods, and heavy parcels. The annual traffic amounts to 2 million tons and 350 vessel calls. Port operations generate more than 1600 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.
GEOCEAN, a subsidiary of Vinci and Entrepose Group, specializes in maritime works, delivering turnkey projects (EPCI contracts) or work contracts for petroleum, gas, mining, chemical, and public works industries.
GEOCEAN was recently tasked with a project to expand the gas oil storage capacities at the Port-La-Nouvelle site.
Encountered challenge:
To protect buried structures (pipelines, electrical cables, water conduits) against mechanical equipment damage (all digging devices), using compensatory measures determined based on hazard assessments established by carriers.
GEOCEAN consulted us for this project to protect 400mm diameter gas oil pipelines over a length of 2400m.
The Authorities of Port-la-Nouvelle had created a comprehensive project specification for the transformation of existing conduits.
Why the requirement to protect underground structures?
If an underground structure is struck by mechanical equipment, there's a risk of perforation and hence leakage of gas oil into the environment, leading to fire outbreaks and heavy pollution.
The solution proposed by OTEXIO: protection of buried structures
The High-Strength Mechanical Resistant (HRM) and Elastic (HRE) Warning Mesh - GACTT designed by ENERGYTEX®, meeting GESIP requirements.
The advantages of the system:
- HR Warning Mesh recognized as a compensatory measure compliant with GESIP recommendations.
- Efficiency coefficient equivalent to concrete plates - EMC 0.05 to 0.025
- Customizable width (minimum 0.15m)
- Easy and quick installation
- Total cost significantly lower than plates
- Warning device with integrated marking strip (NF EN 12613 standard) associated with the mesh
- Approved by APAVE as an independent third party
- Normal frequency monitoring in risk areas
- No need for cameras to be installed on the traced area.
- No impact on pipeline cathodic protection
What motivated the choice of ENERGYTEX® warning mesh by OTEXIO?
We were the only consulted company able to deliver compensatory measures on time and on schedule for the HMR device sizing and supply, ensuring timely installation on the pipeline without impacting the project timeline.
Client feedback after warning mesh installation:
GEOCEAN expressed satisfaction with the choice and use of the HR Warning Mesh. They appreciated our prompt response to various needs: quick delivery + easy installation + lightweight product. We addressed the project challenge well. They also liked the flexibility in network monitoring for the end client.
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