INDIA’S STATE-RUN Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has received approval from the Maharashtra Coastal Regulation Zone Authority for construction of a 24-km long, 20-in diameter, pipeline in the Uran-Trombay sector. The proposed pipeline will replace an existing 18-in diameter pipeline which has already reached its design life of 25 years.
ONGC launched the project as the existing pipeline, which carries 3.5m cum/d of gas to consumers in Trombay, has been showing signs of wearing out, with wall-thickness reductions being observed at some of the above-ground sections. The proposal to lay a new pipeline was also made keeping in view the increased urban activity along the pipeline's route. According to ONGC sources, "The project will be completed by May, 2008, and involves construction of a 20-in diameter pipeline with a total length of 24km from Uran to Trombay, of which 8.40km will be subsea, 8.10km on land, and 7.5km in marshland. ONGC plans to set up terminal facilities at Uran and Trombay along with corrosion control stations at Nhava and Sheva."
The new pipeline will parallel a 36-in oil pipeline through the existing right of way. It has been designed to operate at 52 kg/cm2; the land portion will be coated with high-quality, polythene, while a coal tar and concrete coating will be applied for the subsea section.