Murphy awarded complex pipeline replacement near Glasgow for SGN

Murphy and Sons Ltd has been awarded a £9 million contract by SGN to complete a complex pipeline replacement project at Erskine, near Glasgow.

The Glasgow Circular 450mm high pressure pipeline presently uses the Erskine Bridge at Old Kilpatrick to cross the River Clyde. SGN’s aim is to construct an alternate crossing so that the bridge pipelines can be decommissioned. 

John Murphy, Murphy’s CEO said: “This is an excellent achievement by both our work winning and operations’ team. We’ve been supported greatly by our in-house engineering team who’ve ‘better engineered’ solutions to tough challenges throughout the tender process.” 

The Murphy team will use trenchless installation, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Micro tunnelling to overcome a number of the challenges on the project and install the new pipeline across the one kilometre stretch underneath the river. 

The length and location of the crossing presents its own challenges as the river bed is set on abrasive bedrock, boulders, and steep angles at the riverbank. 

Murphy’s understanding of these technical challenges combined with strong supply chain relationships and in-house engineering support were undoubtedly key to winning the contract. 

In addition to crossing the river the pipeline will also cross a canal, a railway and a major water main before crossing the A82 and tying into the existing AGI.   

The works are due to begin on site in mid-February 2018. The pipeline route and worksites will pass several key local facilities, including a church, golf course, bowling club, football pitch and local homeowners and transport routes. 

It will therefore be vital for the project team to engage heavily with the local community. There will be a dedicated community liaison officer to lead Murphy’s involvement in events and initiatives, safety presentations to local schools and children’s groups and a safety poster competition for children. 

Murphy will also fully reinstate the public areas affected by the works to a standard better than we received them.