Pipeline Construction

The 1/2 mile long directional drilling project on the Wilmot Pipeline completed the pipeline pull back yesterday and only a few feet of pipe extends out of the ground. With the pull back complete, crews now work on connecting the pull back section with other sections of the pipeline.

Excavators were busy removing loose dirt from around the pull back pipe to reach solid ground for the placement of the next section of pipeline.



As one team start to lay out pipe for the next section of pipeline, another team works on the layout of complex pipe bending to tie the two sections together.



Laying out the 24 inch pipe sections.

Pipeline Construction

The morning was sunny and bright as the 24 inch pipeline started its 1/2 mile journey through the bore hole. A row of three excavators lifted the pipeline into position for its entrance into the bore hole.



As the pipeline is pulled into the bore hole it is coated with a bath of drilling mud to lubricate it.



Wide angle view of the pipeline as excavators guide it into the bore hole. (click on image to enlarge the view)



It didn't take very long for the first two of four sections of pipeline to be pulled into the bore hole. While pipeline section number three was being welded onto the pull back pipeline, it was a good time to inspect the bore hole entrance.



View of the excavators used to move section three of the pipeline through the wetland area where it was welded to the pull back pipeline.



Welding a section of the pipeline to the pull back pipeline.



Excavators getting ready, near our cabin, to move forth section of pipeline.



Lifting the last section of pipeline onto the rollers.



Cutting the trailing end of section three to prepare it for welding onto the last section of pipeline.



Welding the last section of pipeline onto the pull back pipeline. This will create the over 1/2 mile of pipeline needed to pull into the bore hole. Once the welded joint completes the X-ray inspection, sandblasting and coating, it will be ready for the pulling.

Pipeline Construction

Today marks another milestone for the Wilmot Pipeline construction as the equipment is readied for the pulling of pipeline into the directional drilling bore hole.



A device called a "pull head" is moved into position for welding onto the first section of the pipeline. The pull head will be attached to drill pipe, that is already in the bore hole, and then pulled back through the bore hole.



Welding the pull head onto the first section of pipeline.



The pull head welded on the pipeline.



Back at the bore hole, a reamer and swivel are attached to the drill pipe that runs through the bore hole.



A close up view of the reamer that clears the bore hole as the pipeline is pulled behind it.



View of the reamer and drill pipe as it enters into the bore hole.



View of the drill pipe entering into the bore hole. A pit full of drilling mud is located in front of the bore hole to lubricate pipeline as it enters the bore hole.



The first section of the pipeline is lifted and moved toward the bore hole.



An "Army" of excavators is required to lift and move the section of pipeline.



View of the excavators moving the pipeline through the wetland area to the bore hole.



The pull head on the pipeline is attached to the swivel on the drill pipe.



View of the drill pipe and reamer attached to the pull head on the pipeline.



With the first section pipeline in position for the "pull back", the second section of pipeline is moved into position for welding to the first section of pipeline.



Tack welding the two sections of pipeline.



Welding the two sections of pipeline. Once the welding is complete the welded joint will be X-ray inspected and a protective coating applied.



View of the pipeline as it stretches through the wooded wetland area to the bore hole.

Pipeline Construction

Overnight a crew completed the leak testing of the sections of 24 inch pipeline that will be pulled through the directional drilling bore hole on the Wilmot Pipeline. The leak testing of the pipeline required the displacing of all air in the pipeline with water and then pressurizing the pipeline to 2,000 PSI and holding the pressure for 4 hours.



With the leak test complete, another crew arrived on site with equipment to prepare for pulling the pipe into the bore hole.




Stacks of rollers are moved to the pipeline "pull-back" area.



Photo of pipeline rollers. These rollers will be positioned along the pipeline "pull-back" area and the "pull-back" pipeline will be placed on the rollers.



Excavators positioning the rollers through the wetland area of our woods. The excavator in the background is preparing the entrance to the pipeline bore hole.



Photo of the pipeline bore hole entrance at the top of the hill. The finial reaming of the bore hole is complete and ready for the pipeline to be pull through the 1/2 mile long hole.



Rollers placed in the right-of-way leading to the bore hole entrance.

Pipeline Construction

Wilmot Pipeline
The Wilmot Pipeline boring project has reached another milestone with the 36 inch reamer reaching a complete pull to the top of the hill. After reaming the 1/2 mile long bore hole, the reamer will be turned around and pulled back through the bore hole to clean it.



The reaming tool is comprised of two cutters, the first cutter is 24 inches in diameter and the second cutter is 36 inches in diameter.



Close up view.



Wesauking Pipeline
After yesterday's completion of the wetland crossing on our property, a crew was busy backfilling and grading the pipeline right-of-way.






On the west side of Joyce Road another crew was busy working on grading the right-of-way through Maureen Brady's property.



With the pipeline buried, a crew was busy removing the timber planking used along the pipeline right-of-way.



The recent dry weather changed our clay soil to a very fine powder.



Removal of the planking was a little dusty.



It's not always the "boys" playing with the big equipment.



Open wide ...

Pipeline Construction

While most people had the day off from work for Easter, the directional drilling crew was working 24 hours per day on the pipeline boring project. They are now reaming the bore hole to a 36 inch diameter.



An excavator at the top end of the bore hole pulls on the rotating drill pipe as the 36 inch reamer enlarges the bore hole.



It's a tug-of-war, like a big bird trying to pull a long worm out of the ground.