Trenchless works are now complete on another key RTE project: a network extension to supply France’s first supercomputer hosting centre, created to meet the rising demands of businesses in big data, artificial intelligence, and digital simulation.
Located just south of Paris, the two HDDs shared a single entry point, to limit the footprint in an urban area :
A 202 m s-shaped HDD drilled eastwards using Paratrak steering to pass 16 metres under a riverside park, a bridge, 2 streams, and around bridge foundations
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- Prepared and supervised from design to delivery by OPTIMUM engineers : G1 and G2 PRO feasibility studies, G4 works supervision.
A 343 m s-shaped HDD drilled westwards threading beneath a busy dual carriageway and a road bridge, with the drill path designed to remain within a narrow strip of public ground
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- An unforeseen network was found onsite, quickly turning an open-trench project into a trenchless one. With no time to conduct a detailed feasibility study, OPTIMUM’s engineers provided valuable assistance to RTE during the HDD operations and advised the drilling contractor on the necessary geotechnical adaptations in real-time, until works completion.
Key challenges onsite included :
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- Complex steering and drill paths
- Limited surface access
- Drilling fluid management in clayey ground conditions
Both HDDs are now complete: the drilling schedule was respected, and cable laying went ahead on time. RTE can roll out the next stage of its project.
