February 2026
February 4, 2026
Stage 2
Brian Perry Civil (BPC) have completed their site setup and commenced works at Point Howard to install the new submarine fuel pipeline.
This includes the installation of a cofferdam to facilitate the excavation of the shore crossing as per image 1 below. The steel sheets are driven into the rock and prevent the trench collapsing when it is excavated.
A barge and excavator have commenced the excavation of the trench at each end of the pipeline route for the pipeline to be buried (see image 2). Progress of the excavation is monitored by NIWA’s vessel RV Ikatere which can undertake subsea surveying and allows us to adjust the excavation plan to achieve the required trench profile.
The pipeline will be welded together onshore and pulled into place via pulleys located on the wharf head and a crane positioned onshore. This phase of the project will commence in mid-March.
During the pipe pull, some pipe will extend beyond the construction site over the walkway / cycle path. BPC will construct a protection structure over the path to protect users from the overhead pipework. This approach avoids the need to install traffic management on Marine Drive around Point Howard.
Image 1: Stage 2 cofferdam installation
Image 2: Stage 2 trench excavation from barge with long reach excavator
Stage 3b
BPC finished the pipeline installation in road reserve before the Xmas break. The start of this year has predominantly focussed on work at each end of the pipeline, and the process of cutover and tie-in of the new pipeline is currently underway.
The new pipeline will receive its first fuel discharge on 12 February.
The old pipeline in Barnes Street has been flushed and drained and is due to be grout filled.
Given the imminent commissioning of the new section of pipeline, this will be the last update for Stage 3b.