A new gas pipeline slated to supply Yangon Region's power plants and factories will be complete in August

A new gas pipeline slated to supply Yangon Region’s power plants and factories will be complete in August, according to officials.

Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise started construction on the 56-kilometre (35-mile) natural gas pipeline in October last year.

“All construction on the gas pipeline, which is 30 inches in diameter, will be completed in the first week of August,” said a Ministry of Energy official.

The Ywarma-Hlawga-Thaketa natural gas pipeline passes through seven townships, including Insein, Shwe Pyi Tha, Mingalardon, Hlegu, East Dagon, South Dagon and Dagon Seikkan.

The pipeline starts at Ywarma station, where natural gas piped from offshore gas projects is stored. It ends at Thaketa near the Thilawa special economic zone.

Officials say it crosses roads 32 times and railway lines at least three times. It is the largest pipeline by diameter that MOGE has installed, though it has put 24-inch pipeline in before.

The pipeline will also be buried 3 feet deep to avoid accidental breakages.

Several local service companies are working on ensuring its quality. SMART Technical Services is responsible for non-destructive testing, Native Power Technology for cathodic protestion, and KST Construction is working on the nitrogen purging services.

The total expense of the pipeline is K2.1 billion (US$1.8 million).

“Currently we do have gas to pump through the new pipeline,” the official said.

“But it is more for future gas pipelines from offshore fields and also to use for transmission of imported liquefied natural gas in the future.”

Yangon Region receives about 165 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of natural gas from the Yadana offshore project at present, and another 92mmcfd from Zawtika. Another 20mmcfd from onshore sources is used primarily for the city’s CNG filling stations frequented by passenger vehicles, trucks and buses.

A total of six state and private gas-fired power plants are also operating in the Yangon area, though the Ministry of Electric Power is planning several new projects in the area as the city’s power consumption is expected to continue to grow.

Source: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/15594-yangon-region-gas-pipeline-to-finish-up-next-month-moge.html

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