Reliability in Robotics: Whitehall Emergency Repair
Project Overview
Cadent were recently undertaking emergency gas work in close proximity to Trafalgar Square – one of London’s top tourist attractions with up to 15 million annual visitors. Seeing an opportunity to use robotic technology to minimise disruption, Cadent collaborated with ULC Pipeline Robotics, Transport for London (TfL) and the local council to deploy CISBOT to conduct key segments of the emergency repair works.
Industry: Gas
Client: Cadent
Location: London, UK
Pipe Diameter: 30″
Total Joints Sealed: 105
Project Duration: 6 Weeks
Business Areas Addressed:
- Gas Remediation
Results:
- Eliminated the need for large scale excavations and trenching
- Avoided future disruption by proactively remediating the pipeline at the time of exposure
- Cost savings for Cadent from reduced excavation
- Reduced carbon emissions through the use of an eco-cabin operation control unit
- Future-proofed the gas main for a minimum of 50 years
Project Detail
ULC Robotics stepped in at short notice to support the repair work, successfully remediating 359 meters of Cadent’s 30” low pressure network and sealing 105 joints using CISBOT technology.
CISBOT provides a reliable solution to support gas networks during times of emergency by sealing joints live within the main preventing the need to interrupt local businesses and customers gas supplies. Using CISBOT to seal joints extends the life of our clients’ assets by 50 years.
The need for multiple excavations is dramatically reduced when using CISBOT, travelling up to 460m from a single excavation. During conventional emergency remediation, gas networks would typically face challenges including:
- Labour and equipment resourcing due to work being reactive through reported gas leaks
- Time-consuming and sensitive works, particularly in a heavily populated area resulting in significant disruption to road users
- Costly work due to traffic management fees, and reinstatement and labour costs
“It’s really important to us that we build trust with our local stakeholders and Local Authorities. By using CISBOT in Whitehall, we have been able to keep disruption to commuters and pedestrians to a minimum. The local council and TfL have really bought in to the project, and have been very complimentary about the benefits of CISBOT to local residents and businesses.”
Richard Sansom, Head of Customer Operations, Cadent
With Cadent’s emergency site situated in a high-profile area in London, CISBOT assisted in:
- Avoiding future disruption to stakeholders and the public by proactively remediating the pipeline at the time of exposure
- Reducing carbon emissions through proactive remediation of the pipeline, minimised excavations and the use of an eco-cabin
- Providing significant cost-savings as CISBOT decreased the number of excavations and the time needed to remediate a section of pipeline
When ULC were called by Cadent to support, the operational team quickly deployed CISBOT and remediated the gas mains within 6 weeks with our operatives working in a custom-built eco-cabin, minimising the noise impact for local residents and businesses. Throughout the duration of the project, traffic continued flowing around Nelson’s Column while CISBOT worked quietly below the ground.
“The historic infrastructure has served the city for well over 120 years and it’s great to be able to deploy CISBOT to extend the life of this Victorian infrastructure to allow it to do so safely for many more years to come. Working with local highway authorities to carry out these works safely, whilst London’s roads are quieter due to the impacts of COVID-19, maximises the benefits of our technology and further reduces the impact of these essential works on the general public.”
Sam Wilson, Director of UK Operations, ULC Pipeline Robotics