From Blast Off to Landing: Bristle Blasting on the Slovakia-Poland Gas Interconnector

Originally published in World Pipelines Magazine, April 2020.

The Slovakia-Poland Gas Interconnector is a critical piece of European energy infrastructure — a cross-border pipeline designed to enhance gas supply security and flexibility across Central Europe. The project presented an opportunity to demonstrate how Bristle Blaster® could deliver specification-compliant field joint surface preparation in real construction conditions, without abrasive blasting.

Project Background

The interconnector links the gas transmission networks of Slovakia and Poland, enabling bidirectional gas flow and improving supply resilience for both countries. The pipeline crosses a range of terrain conditions — agricultural land, forests, water crossings, and inhabited areas — each presenting different regulatory and operational requirements for construction activities, including surface preparation.

The Field Joint Preparation Challenge

Field joint coating is applied at every girth weld along the pipeline route. Each joint must be prepared to the specified cleanliness and anchor profile before the joint coating is applied. For this project, the specification required:

• Sa 2½ / SSPC-SP10 cleanliness
• Anchor profile compatible with the specified heat-shrink sleeve system
• Preparation within the time constraints of the pipeline construction schedule

In several sections of the route — particularly near water crossings and in environmentally sensitive areas — abrasive blasting was not permitted. This created the need for an alternative that could meet the same specification without generating abrasive waste or requiring containment structures.

Bristle Blaster® in Action

The Bristle Blaster® was selected for field joint preparation on the restricted sections of the route. The tool achieved:

• Sa 2½ / SSPC-SP10 cleanliness on each joint, verified by visual inspection against ISO 8501-1 photographic reference standards
• Anchor profile of 65–85 µm Rz, measured by surface replica tape and confirmed against project specification requirements
• Preparation time per joint compatible with the construction schedule — matching or exceeding the preparation rate achievable with blast equipment in unrestricted sections

Inspector Observations

Project inspectors reported that Bristle Blaster®-prepared joints met visual cleanliness criteria and that measured anchor profiles were within or above the specified range. Coating applicators noted no difference in the handling or application behavior of the heat-shrink sleeve system between blast-prepared and bristle-blasted joints.

Lessons for Pipeline Contractors

The Slovakia-Poland Gas Interconnector case study demonstrates several important principles for pipeline construction and maintenance planning:

1. Abrasive-free preparation is specification-compliant: Bristle Blaster® meets the same surface condition requirements as abrasive blasting — enabling consistent specification across restricted and unrestricted sections of a route
2. Environmental restrictions need not delay construction: Alternative preparation methods eliminate the permit and logistical barriers associated with abrasive blasting in sensitive zones
3. Coating system performance is not compromised: Field experience and laboratory data confirm equivalent coating adhesion and performance on bristle-blasted vs blast-prepared joints

For Pipeline Project Engineers and Contractors

If your pipeline project includes sections where abrasive blasting is restricted by environmental permit, proximity to inhabited areas, or logistical constraint, Bristle Blaster® provides a proven, specification-compliant alternative. MontiPower's technical team can assist with specification language, coating manufacturer approval documentation, and on-site support.

Contact MontiPower to discuss field joint preparation for your project.