Enerflex Process has been working on the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) for ten years, providing engineering and construction services throughout the pipeline’s construction and expansion programs. Most recently the company upgraded a number of compressor stations as part of the pipeline’s Stage 5A Expansion.
Previously, each compressorstation along the DBNGP was linked via one pipeline. However with the pipeline’s expansion, the capacity of eight compressor stations had to be increased to de-bottleneck the additional flow of gas provided from the Stage 5A looping.
Enerflex provided a variety of services including civil, mechanical and electrical construction to deliver additional infrastructure to upgrade the pipeline’s compressor stations. Specifically, the company’s work on the compressor stations included installing additional scrubbers, after coolers and/or a gas engine alternator.
“In this way, Enerflex enhanced the efficiency of the compressor stations to meet the increased pipeline capacity,” explained Enerflex Operations Manager David Milner.
Success based on experience
A main feature of the project was to effectively manage the logistics and infrastructure required to complete construction at eight remote locations spread from Dampier to Bunbury, while continuing to maintain an outstanding level of safety.
Challenges aside, the company successfully executed the 8 compressor station outages required to tie-in new equipment at each station without any interruptions to the pipeline flow.
Mr Milner attributed this success to expertise and depth of experience at Enerflex to execute these types of projects, which he said was derived from a good working relationship with project manager WestNet, solid project strategy and planning, and more than 20 years experience.
Safety first
Another factor contributing to this success was Enerflex’s longstanding relationship with WestNet and DBP, which was built as it worked on Stages 2, 3 and 4 of the DBNGP expansion program.
“With each project Enerflex has demonstrated its ability to deliver projects with impeccable safety, whilst simultaneously delivering projects on time and on budget,” commented Mr Milner.
Enerflex recently celebrated close to 2,700,000 working hours without sustaining a loss time injury. Speaking about how this was achieved, Mr Milner said the company’s principal value – that safety is always the number one priority – is at the forefront of everything Enerflex does. “This commitment to our principal value is demonstrated through our safety record and is constantly referenced at meetings, such as kick-off and toolbox meetings,” he added.
Throughout the Stage 5A Expansion, Enerflex also supported and rolled-out WestNet’s Zero Harm safety initiative.
Along the pipeline
Mr Milner said that overall Enerflex’s work on the DBNGP has resulted in a positive and productive relationship with DBP and that the company looks forward to a strong relationship with WestNet.
“As seen in regards to the DBNGP, working with Enerflex provided WestNet with one point of contact for a multitude of products and services (in particular completing all scope in-house) as opposed to liaising with multiple contractors/subcontractors,” said Mr Milner.
