22 PROJECT
Pipe rehabilitation in KZN
By
ORSCO
A 400mm steel oil pipeline that extended from a tank terminal to the wharf at Durban Harbour was in need of rehabilitation . Traditional excavation methods were not going to cut it with the site ’ s constraints . ORSCO came on board to help with a trenchless rehabilitation solution .
FFS Refiners , a leading provider of hydrocarbon solutions across Africa , required a solution for rehabilitating a 400mm steel oil pipeline extending from their tank terminal to the wharf at Durban Harbour .
Traditional excavation methods were deemed unsuitable due to site constraints , prompting FFS Refiners to engage ORSCO to implement a trenchless rehabilitation solution .
Project scope and challenges During the initial site assessment , ORSCO determined that 300 metres of the pipeline required rehabilitation . Material testing was conducted at an accredited laboratory to inform the project scope . However , a subsequent site visit revealed a significant challenge : the wharf-side chamber was filled with sediment , obscuring the pipe and necessitating an expansion of the project scope to 330 metres . ORSCO proactively addressed this challenge by arranging for chamber cleaning and procuring the additional materials required , managed through a variation order with the client .
Solution and Implementation ORSCO recommended and implemented the ASOE Oil Liner system , a state-of-the-art trenchless technology chosen for its durability , hydrocarbon resistance , and ability to enhance internal pressure capacity while minimising operational disruptions . The project was executed in three key phases :
1 . Pre-cleaning and Inspection : ORSCO conducted pre-cleaning and desludging operations , including :
• Breaking up solid sediment in the chamber
• High-pressure jetting ( subcontracted locally for cost efficiency )
• Desludging of the chamber
• Interim and post-cleaning CCTV inspections to assess pipe conditions
• Handover of the pipeline to FFS Refiners for manual repairs
Images supplied by ORSCO
One of the challenges was working in a confined space . The pipeline in place .
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