The Nacap Thiess JV has successfully completed the Sakernan to Kuala Tungkal Onshore Gas Pipeline project. In spite of several periods of severe monsoon conditions, the project was delivered to the client one month ahead of schedule in June 2003 to allow the client's system commissioning contractor to commence work.

In May 2002, Indonesia's state-owned gas distribution agency, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) awarded the Nacap Thiess Joint Venture (NTJV) a US$14 million contract for the detailed engineering, procurement and construction of the 28" diameter buried pipeline for transporting 350 MMSCFD of natural gas along a 70 km long route. The pipeline is the onshore branch line from inland Sakernan to Kuala Tungkal on the coastline of Sumatera and it forms a vital link in the Trans Asian gas pipeline grid.

Integral to the NTJV works was the construction of gas receiving stations at Sakernan and Jabung. The works also included a fibre optic cable (FOC) network along the pipeline route complete with SCADA control and telecommunication facilities.

Over 40 km of the pipeline route traversed swampy terrain. This required a combination of dry work techniques using conventional sidebooms together with push-pull techniques. A major river crossing at the Betara River was completed using a 300T capacity horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rig. This required the NTJV to develop specialist work methods and deploy purpose built equipment.

Thiess contributed substantial experience towards the mechanical and piping systems for the gas station facilities that were constructed in remote locations, and provided key technical and management staff. Nacap having a successful history of pipeline construction in Southeast Asia contributed management and pipeline construction expertise combined with a substantial fleet of pipeline construction equipment including 300T HDD rig, swamp excavators, sidebooms, pipe handling and bending equipment.

At its peak, approximately 500 personnel were employed by the NTJV on the project. The project management, engineering and procurement activities were carried out in Jakarta and a site office was operated in Jambi to support the main construction office and yard in Jabung.