Budimex is building the Warsaw Gas Pipeline for Gaz-System

Budimex entered into an agreement with GAZ SYSTEM S.A. on general contracting of 28 km Warsaw Gas Pipeline according to “build” system. This is the second, after Baltic Pipe commissioned timely in 2022, gas pipeline implemented by this Polish contractor. The offer of Budimex was found to be the best one in tender proceedings and selected as the most beneficial one in December 2022.

The gas pipeline runs between Rembelszczyzna and Mory on the north-western side of Warsaw. The value of the agreement is net PLN 188 million. The construction works will be commenced immediately after the agreement has been signed. The works must be completed within 24 months after entering into agreement, i.e., in the 1st half of 2025. The guarantee period is 36 months.

The Warsaw Gas Pipeline is a strategic infrastructure project for Warsaw and this region of Poland. The new pipeline will facilitate access to natural gas for both industrial recipients and residents of the Warsaw agglomeration. After commissioning, the gas pipeline will limit emission of harmful substances, thus improving the quality of air in the capital city.

The investment also includes construction of:

– an optical fibre network,

– an underground DN700/DN100 connecting unit to allow connection to the existing Jabłonna gas station,

– a gas station located in the direct vicinity of the existing gas station,

– connecting systems intended for linking of the constructed gas pipeline with the existing transfer gas pipeline,

– a 1.4 km route for pedestrians and cyclists, which will also serve as an emergency route for the fire brigade, which will run along the existing pedestrian and bicycle route,

– a cathodic protection system including cathodic protection stations with earth anodes, as well as galvanic anode stations.

Cutting-edge technologies

Over 5 km of the route, i.e., approx. 1/5 of the length of the gas pipeline, will be constructed using trenchless methods; in total, 32 passages of various length are planned. These include five so-called long passages – two horizontal directional drills (HDD) and three passages carried out using the Direct Pipe method. Such a method of implementation significantly limits interference with the natural environment – places of natural value, such as Ławice Kiełpińskie Preserve at the Vistula river or Młociński Park in Bielany district, will be left untouched.

The gas pipeline will be laid under the bottom of the Vistula river and under Ławice Kiełpińskie Preserve at the length of approx. 1,149 m using the horizontal directional drill technology (HDD). This way, it will bypass the land of natural value of the Preserve and allow to maintain the continuity of the inland waterway. The second HDD drill will be carried out in Nowa Warszawa Forest (in Młociny). The trenchless method of laying of the gas pipeline of approx. 1,200 m will allow to preserve local trees.

The second applied trenchless technology is the Direct Pipe method. In order to preserve as much of the forest stand as possible, this technology will be used:

– under Młociński Park at the length of approx. 526 m,

– in the area of community gardens in Bielany district – there, the gas pipeline will run underground and will be laid without any trenches at the length of approx. 320 m (the area along the Vistula Embankment adjacent to Młociński Park),

– under the Modlińska street and in the forest area on the western side of the Modlińska street at the length of approx. 529 m (the forest area at the side of the Modlińska street towards the Vistula river).

Environment protection

When designing the route of the Warsaw Gas Pipeline, many efforts to protect the natural environment were taken. In the construction phase, the construction and installation zone in woodlands will be narrowed to 15 metres (the standard width is 18–20 m) – this is the minimum width necessary to carry out works and deliver construction elements to the site.

At the route of the gas pipeline, there will be a series of trenchless passages, especially in woodlands, such as: Młociński Park, Nowa Warszawa Forest, as well as the woodland in the vicinity of the Modlińska street. This will allow to run the gas pipeline deep underground, which will be beneficial for the environment.

After the construction has been completed, greenery, consisting of domestic species, will be planted. Furthermore, the plans include voluntary planting as a part of pro-ecological activities for the natural environment in the Warsaw agglomeration.

Use of the trenchless technologies does not only significantly limit interference with the natural environment, but also allows to cross land obstacles, such as roads, viaducts, and watercourses (e.g., rivers, sluiceways), in a less burdensome manner. During the construction works, roads will be crossed via ramming; therefore, the traffic will not be interrupted.

All those actions impacted the final price of construction, and their benefits for the environment are considerable. The technically demanding trenchless passages will be especially important for maintenance of the forest stand.

Basic parameters and description of the investment:

• high-pressure gas pipeline,

• diameter: 700 mm,

• working pressure: 8.4 MPa,

• length: approx. 28.5 km.