In May and June 2021, Brownline surveyed six parallel drills on behalf of Van Leeuwen Sleufloze Technieken. These drill jobs are part of the construction of a 33 kilometer natural gas transmission pipeline between the German cities of Braunschweig and Wolfsburg.
This project revolves around the expansion and modernization of the natural gas infrastructure in the German state of Lower Saxony. With the construction of this new natural gas pipeline, two existing coal-fired power stations can be closed, which of course leads to considerably less environmental pollution. As a result of these closures, 1.5 million tons less CO2 will be emitted annually. The 33 kilometer natural gas pipeline will be installed parallel to an existing high-pressure gas pipeline. The trajectory runs between an existing gas installation and an industrial area with a major consumer. The owner of the natural gas pipeline has taken various measures to compensate for this project. Trees had to be felled at a number of locations along the route. These trees will all be replaced by new planting on site, or at specially designated locations. In addition, a riverbank area in the city of Braunschweig is being renovated and a special water feature has been constructed in collaboration with the city of Wolfsburg for the benefit of various animal species. Nest boxes and bat boxes have also been installed to house nesting birds and bats. In this way, a project of this size can also make a positive contribution to the environment.
One of the pilot holes surveyed by us has a total length of 210 meters, the other five have a length of 180 meters. For all boreholes, the distance between the two parallels is only 3 meters. In addition, all drillings each had their own challenges. Not only secondary roads and highways were crossed, but drilling also took place near existing buildings and under nature and agricultural areas. In addition to existing underground pipes and cables, considerable interference could also occur due to all factors present above ground. It was also of the utmost importance not to disturb the above-ground nature and pasturage. With the extreme precision of the Drillguide Gyro Steering Tool in combination with constant monitoring of the mud pressure, all drills have been executed accurately and above all safely.
The entire project went ahead smoothly and the closure of the highly polluting coal-fired power stations is imminent. We are proud of our contribution to this project!