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Keyhole Technology
GTI is the industry’s source for the development, testing, and introduction of innovative “keyhole” technologies for utility system repairs and renovations.


With keyhole techniques, maintenance activities are conducted through small pavement openings, resulting in significant cost savings, reduced public inconvenience, and more efficient repairs.

Why Keyhole Technology?
With excavation and restoration expenses costing U.S. natural gas companies more than $1 billion annually, gas system operators are turning to keyhole methods as a way to reduce overall maintenance costs. Currently, excavation and pavement restoration costs are typically 50% less when keyhole technologies are used. Keyhole technology re-search at GTI is focused on further reducing maintenance costs and minimizing excavations.

Keyhole technology provides a cost-saving alternative to common repair methods, which often require large “open” excavations, followed by the removal and disposal of unwanted pavements and soils. These conventional practices – usually performed using several large pieces of equipment (backhoes, dump trucks, pavement breakers) – can account for 80% of the total cost of a repair job.

While utility operations can realize significant savings using keyhole technologies, consumers and the general public also benefit through less disruption and noise, quicker repair times, fewer and shorter service interruptions, and reduced traffic inconveniences.



The Keyhole Process
Locating, coring, vacuum excavation, construction and maintenance activities, backfill and pavement restoration.

Pipeline Assessments Through Keyholes

Studying the Safety of Vacuum Excavation

Keyholing Attracting Renewed Attention From Underground Construction (February 2004)

Smaller, Circular Keyholes Cut Costs From Gas Utility Manager (November 2003)

Unlocking Savings with Keyhole Technology from Spring 2003 GTI Journal

Micro-Excavation May Revolutionize In-Ground Work From Gas Utility Manager (June 2003)

Go to Gas Operations Center


For more information, contact gasoperationsinfo@gastechnology.org