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By leveraging its supply chain and logistics capability, Iplex Pipelines delivered the ideal solution for infrastructure security on stage one of the Nyngan to Cobar pipeline upgrade.

Ductile iron pipe and fittings have been long recognised as a suitable pipeline solution for civil infrastructure projects, designed to transport water and sewage over large distances and across challenging pipeline trajectories.

The history of pipeline infrastructure where ductile iron has been chosen as the design solution of choice, has generally been underpinned by the performance, longevity and reliability achieved when specifying this pipe material.

Supported through its association with the Northern Iron and Brass Foundry in Innisfail, Iplex has been involved in the design, manufacture and supply of ductile iron pressure pipe and fittings to the Australian market for over a quarter of a century.  

These products include pipe, fittings, valves and accessories ranging in sizes from DN80 – DN750. Pipe is available in lengths of up to 5.75m and can be supplied with optional internal linings including concrete, calcium aluminate or polyurethane.

Iplex’s range also includes Flanged pipework in all diameters, available in customised lengths of up to 5.5m in PN16 and PN35 pressure ratings.

The ductile iron range is supported with products for jointing to PVC Pipe Systems, including universal couplings and gibaults that can be used in the repair of pipework within these systems.

Investing in long-term water security for Cobar

The Nyngan to Cobar pipeline supplies water to the Cobar Township via two high pressure parallel pipelines, stretching between both towns for a distance of 127km.  

The first line is a 300mm diameter, mild steel cement lined (MSCL) pipeline installed in 1964 and the second, a 375mm ductile iron cement lined (DICL) installed in 1983.

With visible signs of deterioration in the mild steel
pipeline number one and ongoing maintenance forecast to increase expenditure to ensure pipeline integrity and performance, it was concluded that a complete replacement of the pipeline be undertaken.  

The first stage identified for renewal, a 30km section of the 300mm diameter mild steel line, was selected for upgrade to a 375mm ductile iron concrete lined (DICL) during early 2017.  

Supply chain performance delivers pipe on schedule

National Australian Pipelines was contracted to design and supply the first stage of the pipeline upgrade, connecting the townships of Nyngan and Cobar located in central New South Wales.  

With the pipeline installation positioned over 700km from Iplex’s operation in Sydney, managing the supply of ductile pipe and fittings was undertaken by the NSW civic project team.  

The 30km section that was replaced required 5211 lengths of DN375 PN35 DICL pipe, supplied in 5.75m lengths. This volume of ductile iron pipe equalled more than 130 semi-truckloads, requiring a coordinated delivery program that aligned with the project’s construction schedule.  

A synchronised approach was central to the partnership between Iplex’s distribution team and National Australian Pipelines’ on-site project managers, with pipe shipments delivered in stages that were in sequence with the installation timeline.  

Iplex’s experience in managing projects of this scale supplied a quality pipeline solution for National Australian Pipelines, whilst meeting the customer’s budgetary and safety constraints.  

To reduce the risk of delays to the project’s installation, Iplex’s quality assurance team in Sydney reviewed each individual pipe prior to shipment.  

This stringent regime ensured that all product delivered to site had been inspected to guarantee compliance with the relevant Australian Standards for ductile iron products.

The measure of success in this pipeline upgrade, where the coordination of supply chain, logistics and project partnership is pivotal to success, further identifies Iplex Pipelines as Australia’s pipeline specialists.

This partner content is brought to you by Iplex Pipelines Australia. For more information, visit www.iplex.com.au

Lauren ‘LJ’ Butler is the Assistant Editor of Utility magazine and has been part of the team at Monkey Media since 2018.

After completing a Bachelor of Media, Communications and Professional Writing at the University of Wollongong in 2014, and prior to writing about the utility sector, LJ worked as a Journalist and Sub Editor across the horticulture, hardware, power equipment, construction and accommodation industries with publishers such as Glenvale Publications, Multimedia Publishing and Bean Media Group.

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