Cook Inlet, Alaska

BKW participates in the preliminary engineering and proposal for the replacement of 1600 feet of 10-inch pipeline in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The job included the make-up of seven pull sections on shore in a 50 x 300 foot right-of-way and using a pull barge to pull the pipeline in place. Pull technique included a natural bend, one underwater tie-in and one shore tie-in. Underwater tie-in used a swivel connector and the shore tie-in was completed during low tide. Tide range was 30 feet with 7-knot currents. Pull barge was positioned using eight 30,000-pound anchors.

Design required a minimum of 4,000-pound weight on the pull head to keep the pull head on the bottom. BKW designed and fabricated two wiener weights, each weighing approximately 10,000 pounds. The weights were equipped with Darth Vader cleats to scour out a ditch for the pipe to follow. The job was constructed as planned and completed ahead of schedule.
 

Pull head, 10,000 lb wiener weights, holdback clamps and underwater "H" frames, ready for shipment to Cook Inlet, Alaska

Double "H" Frame rigged for installing underwater connector for 10" pipeline tie-in.

One of two 10,000 lb. wiener weights used to hold pull head on bottom during pull. Note Darth Vader cleats for plowing a ditch ahead of pull head.

Results of pulling wiener weights 1,600 feet on gravel bottom of Cook Inlet, Alaska

Pipe make-up location on beach, limited to 50 feet wide and 300 feet long.

Pipe strings fabricated, hydrostatic tested and ready for pull.

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