The 2023 IPLOCA New Technologies Runner up Award, sponsored by BP, was assigned to Bonatti for its “Fully mechanized in-trench welding in stove pipe sections” during the last IPLOCA Annual Convention.

Stove pipe construction sequence is a "pipe by pipe" method applied whenever the pipeline route width is very narrow. In certain conditions heavy machinery are limited in use and several operations must be carried out in-trench. Stove pipe construction phases (excavation, laying, welding, NDT, coating, back filling) are focused on a single pipe length and shall all be completed before proceeding to the next.

In-trench activity represents a significant productivity constrain which frequently impacts construction efficiency. Manual activities highlight other criticalities due to safety, quality and cost issues: automation allows to achieve important benefits along all the pipeline process.

The Bonatti process combines the use of dedicated equipment – i.e. the adapted ELUCs (External Line-Up Clamps) for mechanized welding system – with the use of Bonatti Mechatronic Welding System. A series of particular measures allow welders to operate with automatic machines even in tightest spaces.

Bonatti can document strong achievements in the application of this system:

Improved Safety

Improved Weld Quality

Improved Productivity