South stream offshore pipeline

In April 2014, Eni Saipem awarded Ed. ZÜBLIN AG (Singapore Branch) with a contract for the Microtunnel Shore Crossing which is part of the South Stream Offshore Pipeline Line 1 Project.
 
The project scope consists of 4 landfall pipeline sections to be accommodated in 4 micro-tunnels between land fall point and 23m WD. This involves the construction of 4 entry and exit pits. Each pipeline is approximately 1.4km which results in a total pipe jacking length of 5.6km. Construction has commenced in June 2014 and is scheduled for completion in July 2016.
As the buoyancy force exceeds the jacking pipe weight, the pipeline will be headed by 10 heavy steel pipes. These heavy pipes are filled with steel sections and grouted with concrete to increase its weight and help counter the buoyancy force.
 
During the construction phase the recovery of the TBM will be done within the Black Sea. The TBM will complete its pipe jacking alignment and breakthrough the soil layer to reach the exit pit that has been dredged by Van Oord, the chosen marine subcontractor. Once there, a barge will be waiting to lift the TBM with the help of experienced divers. The TBM will be attached to a lifting spreader beam by the divers and lifted onto the barge.
The pipeline will then be flooded and the gas pipeline will be pulled from the sea to land through the use of an onshore linear winch.