The crossing was drilled using two rigs, employing the first use of horizontal directional drill (HDD) intersect in Australia, with a total of three crossings of the harbour planned with this technology in order to minimise impacts on the environment.
To perform the works, a 500 tonne rig has been set up at the Tanna Coal Terminal and a 100 tonne rig has been set up on Curtis Island.
The 2,130 m crossing intersect was completed on 20 December 2011, and borehole reaming is underway with the first 14 inch steel liner anticipated to be installed in February 2012.
