The Springhurst Compressor Station (SCS), which consists of a single Solar Centaur C50 dry seal machine, was constructed in 1998 to provide compression for gas flowing south from New South Wales into the Victorian Transmission System (VTS).

In order to meet increasing market demand, APA Group began a project in September 2009 to modify the SCS to enable gas to flow in either a northerly or southerly direction.

The main aim of the project was to meet projected demand for the state’s northern zone, and to allow APA and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to both export gas to New South Wales and import into Victoria.

Conversion works

Approximately 30 APA employees and 75 contractors worked on the project, including local suppliers for services such as cranes.

Project works included:

• Automation of the line valve at the station to allow remote start and stop of the compressor station

• A new station control system, removing the existing station control functions from the Solar unit control system and integrating a station safety system;

• Upgrading the station’s remote terminal unit, human-machine interface and Solar unit control systems to newer versions;

• Installation of two new station valves to provide automated flow reversal of the compressor station;

• Installation of a capacity valve to provide improved suction and discharge pressure control;

• Installation of instrument panels to provide over-pressure protection and pressure relief to all existing and new actuated valves;

• Installation of fast-stop and antisurge valves, related accessories and components necessary for effective operation of the anti-surge control system to avoid surge during all phases of compressor operation.

Once construction was completed, the entire station was function-tested and recommissioned for all modes of operations. By August 2010, construction, commissioning and testing works were completed. Operational control was handed over to APA’s operations group on 9 September 2010 and additionally to AEMO on 18 November 2010.

APA has now moved on to the construction of the new compressor station at Euroa, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2012.Wollert units 4 and 5 upgrade.

In addition to the SCS conversion, APA Group has completed an upgrade of the Wollert Compressor Station.

This involved the installation of two Solar Centaur 50 Low NOx emission gas turbine-driven compressors, fin fan after coolers, gas filters and associated services and piping.

Construction and commissioning of the project was completed in January 2011, and handover of operational control from the project team to operations occurred in March 2011.

The project remained under budget but was delayed by a number of challenges including:

• Identification of the Wollert site as a significant habitat of the critically endangered Golden Sun Moth. Commencement of site earthworks was delayed by six weeks due to the moths’ breeding season;

• Encountering a considerable amount of rock when developing the site. A rock crusher was brought in to allow rock to be reused as fill, eliminating the requirement for material to be taken offsite for disposal;

• Outdoor assembly and fabrication of a station during a wet Victorian winter.

The majority of pipe spools were prefabricated and pre-assembled in a workshop to minimise the weather effects to the schedule.

“The installation of the new compressors adds certainty to base supply into the future, and adds capacity to meet demand increases,” says APA Project Manager James Outerridge. The expansion will also allow APA to increase exports into New South Wales via Culcairn.

Wollert units 4 and 5 upgrade

In addition to the SCS conversion, APA Group has completed an upgrade of the Wollert Compressor Station.

This involved the installation of two Solar Centaur 50 Low NOx emission gas turbine-driven compressors, fin fan after coolers, gas filters and associated services and piping.

Construction and commissioning of the project was completed in January 2011, and handover of operational control from the project team to operations occurred in March 2011.

The project remained under budget but was delayed by a number of challenges including:

• Identification of the Wollert site as a significant habitat of the critically endangered Golden Sun Moth. Commencement of site earthworks was delayed by six weeks due to the moths’ breeding season;

• Encountering a considerable amount of rock when developing the site. A rock crusher was brought in to allow rock to be reused as fill, eliminating the requirement for material to be taken offsite for disposal;

• Outdoor assembly and fabrication of a station during a wet Victorian winter.

The majority of pipe spools were prefabricated and pre-assembled in a workshop to minimise the weather effects to the schedule.

“The installation of the new compressors adds certainty to base supply into the future, and adds capacity to meet demand increases,” says APA Project Manager James Outerridge.

The expansion will also allow APA to increase exports into New South Wales via Culcairn.