The Matterhorn Pipeline is owned by Whitewater Midstream and is scheduled for construction in the fall of 2023.
The project is 410 miles (660 km) of 42”. PipeSak was contracted to supply 6000 SPP4248 PipePillo® structured pipeline supports for pipeline stringing purposes. This process, while not unheard of, is rare and has never been attempted on this scale. The contractor used 1 PipePillo® support and 3 skids at the front and back of every 40’ joint (when not in rocky ground we suggest using 2 PipPillo® supports, stacked, removing the need for skids). The Pillo’s ordered are supporting, with a spacing of 38.3’, 22.8 miles of pipe. Since this only accounts for 23% of the contractors awarded 100 miles, this means that each PipePillo® support will need to be reused.
Due to the durability and easy-to-install nature of PipePillo® structured pipeline supports, this was an easy process.
PipeSak sent a representative to observe and report on the successful execution of this process. Multiple areas were positively affected using PipePillo® and gains were most prominent in the quantity of materials used to support the pipe. Historically, pipelines have been strung out using wood skids commonly called cribbing. In a flat area with no pipe bends the cribbing process would use 11 skids on the front and 14 skids on the back for a total of 25 skids. When compared to the process after the integration of PipePillo® supports, the skidding used was significantly cut down with a total of only 3 skids and 1 PipePillo® for both the front and the back making the total 6 skids and 2 PipePillos®.
Several benefits inherently associated with reducing skids, permeate every facet of pipeline construction, from the major points to the small possibly unnoticed, but still crucial aspects. Labor, both in the quantity of personnel and the physical strain put on each laborer, is one of the larger issues related to using skids. The weight of each skid, 40-50lbs, and their awkward size, 8” x 5’ makes them difficult to lift and carry – especially for a 10-hour shift. PipePillo® structured pipeline supports do not have to be carried and can be rolled down the right of way due to their engineered circular shape.
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