Gardeja-Kolnik gas pipeline, part of the onshore component of the FSRU Program: critical trenchless crossing under the Vistula River

Photo of the article

A record-breaking 1 kilometre-long crossing under the Vistula River, part of the Gardeja - Kolnik gas pipeline construction – innovative Direct Pipe method minimises environmental impact.

An important stage of the FSRU Onshore Project implementation is currently underway – the drilling of a 1 000-metre-long and DN 1 000 bore under the Vistula River, using the Direct Pipe method, on the Gardeja-Kolnik gas pipeline route in Kwidzyn municipality. It has been divided into two sections:one approx. 300 m long and the other approx. 700 m. This is the longest borehole planned during the pipeline construction and the second longest on the 250 km route from Gdańsk to Gustorzyn. 

It is worth noting that, along the Gardeja-Kolnik pipeline route, Direct Pipe will be employed twice to cross the Vistula River. The total length of all trenchless crossings planned along the entire FSRU pipeline route is approximately 15.6 km. 
 

-  I can safely say that our company specialises in the use of non-invasive methods for laying gas pipelines under terrain obstacles. We will use these technologies repeatedly in the Onshore and Offshore components of the FSRU Program, as they reduce the environmental impact and preserve quality of the landscape in highly valuable nature areas – said Sławomir Hinc, President of GAZ-SYSTEM.

On 30 May 2025, the route of the gas pipeline under construction was visited in Pastwa, Kwidzyn municipality. The event was attended by local government officials and journalists from both local and national media, who had the opportunity to see the work in progress and learn about the technical aspects of the project, including the Direct Pipe method used to cross the Vistula River.

The visitors had the opportunity to see in action a new machine, the Pipe Thruster, employed for the Direct Pipe drilling and an advanced control system that precisely guides the underground trajectory, ensuring the highest accuracy and safety of the entire process.

In this area, work is being carried out, among others, in the Natura 2000 area, under strict supervision and in accordance with the Environmental Permit. The use of the Direct Pipe method has minimised the project's impact on the natural environment. 

Currently, advanced earthworks are underway on the Gardeja-Kolnik gas pipeline construction site and preparations for welding and pipelay are in progress. Stalprofil S.A. is responsible for the construction works, GGT Solutions S.A. for the Direct Pipe performance, and Izostal S.A. for the supply of pipes used for the trenchless crossings. All three are Polish companies, constituting a significant local content in the project.

The construction of the Onshore component of the FSRU Program involves the construction of eight Direct Pipe crossings with a total length of over 5.2 km. These include key crossings of rivers and watercourses, such as: Martwa Wisła (Kolnik-Gdańsk, 1 042 m), Wisła (Gardeja-Kolnik, 1 000 m; Gustorzyn-Gardeja 670 m), Wierzyca (523 m), Kanał Młyński (558 m), and Drwęca (536 m). What is more, the project includes crossings under the A1 motorway and ecological sites.