Energy Minister and General Director of Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation Observed Ongoing Works on the Kutaisi-Abasha Section of the Main Gas Pipeline

21 June, 2013
Kakha Kaladze, Minister of Energy and David Tvalabeishvili, General Director of Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation, along with the representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) observed ongoing works on the Kutaisi-Abasha section of the main gas pipeline.

During the construction work on the Kutaisi-Abasha 47 km section of the main gas pipeline, it became necessary to install an underground crossing on the River Rioni. Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation used directional drilling method for the gas pipeline construction for the first time. As a result 700mm pipeline will be installed in the 550 meter long underground crossing.

‘Georgian Oil and Gas corporation started the construction of the Senaki-Kutaisi section of the main gas pipeline in October last year and by now 30 km section is already been built. Currently we are conducting bank stabilization works on the River Rioni,’ David Tvalebeishvili pointed out.

Kakha Kaladze, Minister of Energy focused on the methods used for constructing the River Rioni underground crossing. He stressed that these methods are approved all over the world; however it is the first time in Georgia when we locate pipelines under the river at 15 m depth.

The construction work is being implemented by a joint enterprise of Sakmilmsheni and PVI ZIT Naftogazbudizolyatsia

The construction of the 47km Kutaisi-Abasha section of the high pressure gas pipeline is being implemented within the frames of the East-West Main Gas Pipeline Rehabilitation Project. The construction work started in late October 2012 and is expected to be completed in Autumn 2013. The project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The East-West main gas pipeline construction project is aimed at full rehabilitation of the selected section of the pipeline in order to secure safe and reliable suppl