Spectra Energy Demonstrates Laying the Pipe

The welded sections of pipe are lowered in the trench by special tractors called “side booms” and covered with the material excavated from the trench.

Lowering-In

The long pipe sections are lowered into the trench by special pipe laying tractors called “side booms.” Care is taken that the coating is not damaged during this process. In rocky areas, the pipe is placed on sandbag benches to prevent damage to the pipe coating. The ends of the long pipe sections are welded together in the ditch to form a continuous pipeline.

Backfill

Once the pipe is completely in the ditch, the material excavated from the trench is replaced over the pipeline. In rocky areas, a layer of rock-free pad dirt is placed all around the pipe to protect the coating.