Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912
Electronic Journal of the International Association for Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 13 (2005), Paper 10    Posted June 5, 2005
INSTALLING CRUDE OIL SUB-RIVER PIPELINES, AL FATHAH, TIGRIS RIVER, IRAQ

Barney P. Popkin

Water Resources and Environmental Management Consultant


ABSTRACT
Nine months in the planning and logistics, plus six months to implement in an unsecured, hostile and post-war conflicted zone, Horizontal Controlled Directional Drilling was successfully applied to install crude oil sub-river pipelines at Al Fathah Bridge, Tigris River, Iraq in 2004. The project was technically challenged by water-saturated sands and gravels, and watersaturated fractured carbonates and train-box car sized caverns where control of the drill bit was limited at best until significant cement grouting was introduced to stabilize the drilling media.
Reference: Popkin, B.P. 2005. Installing crude oil sub-river pipelines, Al Fathah, Tigris River, Iraq. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 13, Paper 10.
CONTACT:

Barney P. Popkin
Water Resources & Environmental Management Consultant
USAID-ANE/TS Environmental, Afghan, Iraq & Water Team
U.S. Agency for International Development
Washington, DC 20523



E-mail: bppopkin@mindspring.com or @yahoo.com
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