firmus energy have been showcasing their ambitious £3m River Foyle Crossing development in Derry~Londonderry, the largest drill project to be undertaken on the island of Ireland. The plan is to install a large gas pipe under the River Foyle from Strathfoyle to Thornhill scheduled for completion before the end of the year.
Now at the halfway point, the project, which has been two years in planning, will meet the increasing demand for natural gas in the area and will provide enough gas for network buildout for the next 20 years.
Commenting on the project, Jonathan Strain, Construction Manager, said:
“This is an ambitious and innovative project that will bring much needed network capacity over the next twenty years which is vital given the growing demand for gas in the city. The project has been in planning for quite some time and it is great to see it progressing. Together with Kier, our main contractor and McCormack and Son’s, a specialist directional drilling sub-contractor we will have gas flowing very soon. This is a significant £3m investment in the area.
“We are committed to ensuring that the work is completed safely and efficiently, we appreciate the support and engagement from all our stakeholders throughout the process. We would like to say a special thanks to the Derry Port Authority, Thornhill College, Strathfoyle residents and Diocese of Derry for their continued help and support throughout the project.”
As part of this continued engagement, firmus energy invited local stakeholders, including media and elected representatives to visit the site on Wednesday to hear first-hand of the benefits this project will bring not only to the city itself, but also to the local economy, including local job creation through the construction phase.
firmus energy currently services 10,541 customers in the Derry~Londonderry area. The 355mm diameter, 660m long, 2” thick wall polyethylene (PE) gas main will be installed beneath the River Foyle from Strathfoyle to Culmore Road at the Old Thornhill College site.
Using a 50 tonne drilling machine the work is being carried out by local, specialist drilling contractor, McCormack Drilling. Since beginning the work, they have drilled through rock 25m under the river bed and 20m under the Derry~Londonderry to Coleraine railway line.
