Our Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor, United Infrastructure (UI), is set to begin trench excavations along the Main Onshore Pipeline (the Pipeline) route in June 2026, in preparation for its installation. These works will follow the above-ground welding and coating activities UI has already started carrying out along the Pipeline route.
These works involve using open-cut trench techniques in areas where the Pipeline does not tunnel beneath a road, railway line or watercourse. In these sections, large excavators will dig a trench along the route where the Pipeline will be safely installed, with excavation carried out in sequential stages.
Once excavated, the Pipeline will be lowered into its trench using a lower and lay method*. Following the Pipeline's installation, the trench will be backfilled, and the land will be restored as close as reasonably practicable to its original condition.
The Pipeline will then undergo a series of testing and inspection procedures to ensure it is safe and ready to be brought into operation. More information about these measures can be found in the Pipeline Safety Measures Factsheet here
Further updates about the Pipeline's construction will be added onto the HyNet Hub Latest News section in advance.
*A lower and lay method is the process of placing the Pipeline into the open-cut trench, using pipelayers fitted with sidebooms for stability.
What is involved as part of these works?
These works involve using open-cut trench techniques in areas where the Pipeline does not tunnel beneath a road, railway line or watercourse. In these sections, large excavators will dig a trench along the route where the Pipeline will be safely installed, with excavation carried out in sequential stages.
Once excavated, the Pipeline will be lowered into its trench using a lower and lay method*. Following the Pipeline's installation, the trench will be backfilled, and the land will be restored as close as reasonably practicable to its original condition.
The Pipeline will then undergo a series of testing and inspection procedures to ensure it is safe and ready to be brought into operation. More information about these measures can be found in the Pipeline Safety Measures Factsheet here
Further updates about the Pipeline's construction will be added onto the HyNet Hub Latest News section in advance.
*A lower and lay method is the process of placing the Pipeline into the open-cut trench, using pipelayers fitted with sidebooms for stability.