Projects Item

Contract included excavation, laying and backfill of 39km of high pressure pipeline to move water from the transfer pond and pump station at Mason Bay to the desalination plant within the process plant

Contract
Seawater Pipeline, Transfer Pond and Pumping Station
at Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine

Client / EPCM
BHP Billiton – Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations

Contract Value
$13,698,540

Description
The seawater pipeline consisted of:
• 19.3km of 710mm diameter HDPE pipe rated from PN8 to PN16. The HDPE pipe replaced the
650mm GRP pipe installed previously which was progressively excavated and removed. Pipes were
again butt fusion welded.
• Installation of valves and valve pits along the line.
• Installation of fiberglass vacuum reduction tank along the line.
• Hydrotesting of the new HDPE line over its 19.3km length.
 

The Transfer Pond and pumping station works consisted of:
• Import of gravel and earthworks to construct the pond.
• Supply and installation of HDPE liner to the pond.
• Installation and fusion welding of all HDPE pipework associated with the pumping station.
 

This included two 800mm diameter pipe penetrations through the pond walls, and all delivery and suction pipework ranging in size from 450mm diameter to 710mm diameter