China’s Modern Day Great Wall: The 40” West to East Gas Pipeline Project

PetroChina’s West to East Natural Gas Pipeline Project (WEPP) has been under construction since October of 2001. Upon completion, construction will be completed on the following major facilities: 3,800 km of 1,016 mm mainline; 294 km of 813 mm, 508 mm, and 406 mm lateral lines; Dual fiber optic conduits with the mainline pipeline; 1,100 km of access roads; 23 metering stations; 18 pigging stations; 10 compressor stations; 16 mountain tunnels; 16 aerial crossings; 41 mainline and 18 lateral line HDDs; 1 crossing of the Yangtze River (a 4.4 m concrete lined tunnel); 3 crossings of the Yellow River (pipe jacking, tunnel and aerial methods); gas control center and SCADA system. This paper covers topics including construction management; engineering, procurement, and construction; major construction challenges; and, business in China.