Steelpipe and Hawkins Infrastructure have secured separate contracts, for the same central North Island Contact Energy project, assisting in the drive to progress the development of renewable geothermal energy.

Hawkins is connecting seven geothermal production wells (located on three different well pads) into a flash plant where water and steam are separated; the steam will then be transported by above ground pipe either to Wairakei or Poihipi Geothermal Powerstations; the water will be pumped six kilometres south towards Taupo where it will be reinjected into six reinjection wells. A 77,000 cubic metre lined pond is also part of the project and this will be used for holding water during start up and shut down procedures.

The project requires eight kilometres of Steelpipe spiral welded steel pipe, over ten sizes, ranging from 508mm to 1295mm, and almost $9 million worth of materials, the bulk - vessels and pumps - provided by the client. Hawkins is responsible for construction of the flash plant, the pump station, the pipelines and the lined pond.

Tom King, Hawkins Project Manager, says that the project is in its early days with pipe currently being stockpiled for installation. Project completion is scheduled for July 2011.