UEA Trenchless Division was award that project in Lake Conjola, New South Wales, which will involve replacing an existing submarine cable running directly underneath Lake Conjola.
During the areas peak tourist season the increase in demand has been identified by the local electrical authority as a major risk to existing services. The underwater cable is set to be replaced using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology.
Prior to the HDD works commencing, UEA will be required to locate a treated effluent main that lies underneath the lake that could potentially impact the proposed alignment.
A 180 mm conduit, measuring approximately 880 m in length, will be installed through sand and sandstone matter. The works will represent one of the longest HDD boring projects undertaken by the local New South Wales authority.
Part of the works will involve a 350 mm steel casing being applied over the first 80 to 100 m in order to prevent frac-out whilst drilling through the soft formation into the harder sandstone.