GasNet completes reconstruction of a backbone gas pipeline for Central Bohemia

GasNet, the largest gas distributor in the Czech Republic, is completing the reconstruction near Čáslav of a backbone high-pressure gas pipeline serving Central Bohemia. The gas engineers have managed to minimise the impact of construction on local residents. They are completing the reconstruction ahead of schedule and without interrupting gas supplies. The new pipeline also runs outside built-up areas and will enable the further development of the town of Čáslav. The original pipeline was unique within the Czech gas system, as it was initially used to transport oil.

GasNet invests billions of korunas each year in renewing and modernising its pipeline network, with the aim of ensuring safe and reliable gas supplies for households, businesses and industry across the country over the long term. “With every investment, we focus on meeting our customers’ needs as effectively as possible. We took the same approach when building the pipeline near Čáslav.We aimed to minimise the impact of construction on the lives of local residents. That is why we chose a combination of several unique technologies and modern work methods,” explains Stanislav Bejr, GasNet’s head of construction management, describing the approach to the reconstruction.

Construction without interrupting gas supplies and outside built-up areas

Since this spring, GasNet has reconstructed a 3.5-kilometre section of the pipeline without interrupting gas supplies to local households and businesses. “To maintain normal gas supplies for customers without any restrictions, we used construction methods that avoid service interruptions. They can be compared to the bypasses surgeons perform on the heart,” explains Stanislav Bejr.

The original high-pressure gas pipeline earmarked for reconstruction ran through a built-up part of the town, including a garden allotment area. Most of the properties affected were not yet there when it was built. “To minimise disruption and inconvenience for property owners, we decided to build a new pipeline outside built-up areas as part of the reconstruction and mothball the original pipeline. This also accommodates the further development of the town of Čáslav,” explains Stanislav Bejr. The new backbone pipeline is therefore located outside the town, beyond the bypass road.

History has unfolded around the pipeline

The original pipeline was built as part of a larger project in the 1940s: “The pipeline was first used to transport oil between Lobau, a region near Vienna in Austria, and Roudnice nad Labem. It was later connected to the Benzina pumping station system and transferred to the Central Bohemian Gas Works in 1957. The pipeline is currently designated DN300 Prague–Znojmo. It is made of high-quality steel 12 mm thick, and parts of it remain in reliable service to this day. Inspections confirm its good technical condition, ensuring safe and reliable gas distribution,” explains Zdeněk Kordík, head of regional Asset Management at GasNet.

Good coordination and smart technologies accelerated construction

Preparatory construction work began last November, and the main construction work started this spring. Completion was originally planned for October this year. However, thanks to good coordination and modern technologies, the work will be completed ahead of schedule at the end of September, with the main construction work now being finalised: “For example, we used so-called trenchless technologies, including pipe boring beneath roads and the railway. This once again minimised construction work affecting the surrounding infrastructure,” adds Radim Vaško, chairman of the board of construction company Výstavba sítí Kolín, which is carrying out part of the work for GasNet. Final landscaping will also be completed by the end of September.