52 Doosan excavators at work for a pipeline project
A year after the celebration of the beginning of the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP), 52 Doosan excavators are contributing to the construction of about 360 km of pipeline in the Greek territory.
The joint venture comprised of Bonatti and J&P Avax has been awarded, in March last year, the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contract for the construction of approximately half of the 760 km of the pipeline and chose the power and reliability of 52 Doosan tracked excavators for the execution of excavation work and laying of 48 inch (1.2 meters) diameter tubes.
Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project will cross Greece and Albania from the Greek-Turkish border to Italy, in the province of Lecce, allowing the transportation of natural gas from the Caspian Sea area (Azerbaijan ) in Italy and Europe through the southern corridor. This project will contribute to the diversification of European energy resources; gas arrives in Italy from the Caspian basins to be distributed throughout Europe.
Bonatti S.p.A and J&P Avax S.A has been awarded the EPC contract for two lots in northern Greece. The sections cover approximately 360km of pipeline, stretching between Kavala and Ieropigi (Albanian border).
Bonatti is an Italian company that ranks among the largest pipeline international contractors, with a strong record of thousand km of pipes laid around the world under the most critical environmental and logistical conditions as in the case of this futuristic project that will see the crossing of many roads and rivers along its path.
J&P-AVAX Group is one of the largest construction groups in Greece, having also extensive activities abroad. Listed in the main market of the Athens Exchange since 1994, J&P Avax has extensive experience in oil and natural gas pipeline construction as well as LNG stations and thermal power plants.
"This important order is a further confirmation of the quality of Doosan products and the support offered by our dealers' network such as ERGON TZANIDAKIS, our Greek dealer, responsible for all service activities related to the Doosan exacavtors" Franck Adam, Key Accounts director Doosan Bobcat EMEA said. “This contract is the result of a close collaboration between the various "actors" who, from June to November last year, have been able to set up the needs to complete this important deal.”
The project, which involves about 1500 people daily, requires major interventions and for its execution and the choice has fallen on 52 Doosan tracked excavators from 30 tonnes to 55 tonnes (10 DX300LC-5, 20 DX340LC-5, 10 DX380LC-5 and 12 DX530LC-5). A weighted choice based primarily on the characteristics of productivity, ease of use and reliability that characterized Doosan machines.
“The choice of the excavator brand was started by analyzing 8 competitors and the decision fell on Doosan after careful evaluation of the technical features.” John Joannov, corporate plant manager, said “Doosan machines have a great value for money, especially when analyzing performances and fuel consumption, which, after several months using them, we can confirm that are in line with the excellent values given in the technical data sheets. For example, for pipe handling with vacuum lifters, the Doosan excavators were the only brand that met the necessary requirements by using a 53-tonne model against 60/70-tonne models of competition, thus allowing us to save on purchasing and now on fuel consumption.”
More information: The DX530 as the widthest undercarriage in the market, in extented position, the width of this excavator is 3.9M. Thanks to this undercarriage, this machine propose the best lifting capacity on the market at 360°
Strenghts of Doosan Excavators:
- really high digging forces
- the higgest travel force in the market
- comfortable and user friendly cab
- high quality of hydraulic, smooth and precise
The 12 bigger excavators (DX530LC-5) have been equipped with a “Mass excavation front” short arm (2.4M) and boom(6.3M) allowing a better hydraulic performances that permit to move heavy tubes with vacuum lifters to the required heights and distances.
"Comparing the competitors considering the weight of the models was not the way to go; for example Doosan DX340LC-5 excavators are equivalent to 38-tonne models of competition." Joannov continued "Also the availability of a range of excavators with many models has been helpful, enabling us not to oversize the machinery fleet." "Doosan also adhered to our needs to receive the machines with some urgency; the excavators arrived within a month, between October and November last year."
DoosanConnect system…. installed at the factory - 3 years of service subscription - To monitor the machine directly from your office - Location / Alert / Consumption / Working Mode / Reporting - Machine information is sent directly via email or cellphone…
Quote of Yannis Panayiotopolos site plant manager ( about Doosan Connect….)
The delivery contract for the 52 Doosan excavators includes a service package that provides two years of warranty with the possibility of extending it to another year. Service is handled directly by Ergon Tzanidakis, the local Doosan dealer.
"With this contract, we have hired 4 new service men who, together with our service manager, are completely dedicated to this project. The same is the case for new fully equipped Service vans. "Dimitris …. project manager Ergon….. "Spare parts availability is a further added value, obtained thanks to a spare parts warehouse located in the main project camp and the possibility of getting them from Doosan warehouse in Leipzig, Germany, in less than 24 hours."
Doosan excavators are commited (working hard) in different applications: trenching, earth moving, using hammer, lifting gas pipe...
DESCRIPTION OF DOOSAN EXC RANGE
"Before this project I had never used a Doosan excavator and, now that I've been working for over 600 hours, I can say that I have been surprised for the simplicity with which you can control the excavator since the beginning." One of the operators said. "The cabin further to being very spacious allows great visibility and is silent."
Questions:
pipes: weight, lenght, description…
EXTRA INFO
About the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy. TAP's routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP's landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria. TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately in early 2020.