The Dampier Bunbury Pipeline (DBP) awarded McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) Stage 5B Looping contract in Western Australia.

The project includes 440 km of 26” pipeline construction looping the existing DBNGP pipeline spread from Loop 0 near Karratha to Loop 10 east of Bunbury, W.A. This is carried out in eleven separate loops.

The initial two loops to be constructed (Loops 9 and 10) are adjacent to and North East and South of Perth respectively. Loop 10 is the first loop to be commenced closely followed by Loop 9 which runs through the Swan Valley which includes both residential and vineyard areas. Construction of these and the other Loops will require close liaison with all stakeholders including landowners, affected residents, government agencies, local councils and shires, local indigenous leaders and other affected parties.

Looping sections 0 through 8 are in remote locations from Karratha to Gin Gin and will involve our teams working from remote base camps. The logistics of continually moving campsites and personnel present one of the greatest challenges on the project. Other challenges include extreme weather conditions, geological challenges and an emphasis on zero environmental losses of both flora and fauna.

Construction of all Loops will have a strong emphasis on safety, environmental and stakeholder management.

Project rollout began on 1st October, 2008 with the mobilisation of personnel. Construction commenced in January 2009 with mainline construction to be complete by December 2009 and mechanical completion by March 2010.