A Pioneering Feat in Pipeline Installation
Operation Pluto (Pipeline Under the Ocean) was a groundbreaking World War II project that involved laying pipelines across the English Channel to supply fuel to Allied forces in France. The project featured eight rigid pipes and 13 composite cable lines, with the initial pipelines, code-named Donbo and Bambi, playing a crucial role. To maintain secrecy, pumping stations were cleverly disguised as ice cream shops, cafes, and bungalows. This project marked the first use of the relay method for pipeline installation, with pipes wound onto massive floating drums called Conundrums. These drums, towed by tugboats for 31 miles, allowed for a fast and continuous installation process, laying the pipe directly onto the ocean floor. The innovative techniques used in Operation Pluto set the stage for modern pipeline spooling methods and remain a significant achievement in engineering history.