Murphy successfully completed this complex project in a live Compressor Station.

PROJECT OUTLINE

The Irish Natural Gas System is connected to the National Grid system in the UK at Moffat in Scotland. The South West Scotland Onshore System (SWSOS) consists of a compressor station at Beattock and another at Brighouse Bay connected by two pipelines.

The Works included installation of:

  • Fuel Gas Skid
  • Electric Actuator Replacement
  • Solenoid Actuator Panel Upgrades
  • Settlement Remedial Works
  • Volumetric Control Ancillary Works
  • Compressed Air System Upgrades
  • Upgrades of Fire Suppression System
  • Odorant System Upgrades
  • Electrical, Instrumentation and Control Upgrades

KEY CHALLENGES

The Project scope more than doubled in size with design change and additional works added throughout the project. Murphy assisted the Client with Value Engineering proposals throughout the change process to ensure that the best solution was chosen.

Working in a live compressor station always poses challenges. The site team liaised continuously with the station operators to ensure that operations were never interrupted. All of the works were within live gas stations which required strict control under GNI Permit to Work systems. All operatives and staff were trained in safe Control of Operations at the outset of the Project.

There were a large number of specialist subcontractors that were working concurrently on site. Careful planning and proactive engagement with the subcontractors were required to achieve a successful outcome.

PROJECT DELIVERY AND INNOVATIONS

Murphy took a proactive approach to assisting the Client with design of the additional scope items. Value Engineering and agreement of costs were undertaken at an early stage to ensure the best outcome for the client.

No excavated material was removed from site throughout the project. Murphy worked with the Client to ensure material was reused and avoided transport to landfill. This had obvious cost and environmental benefits.

Through careful planning of the works Murphy succeeded in prefabricating a large quantity of components required off-site. This ensured that welding and coating could be carried out to the highest safety and quality standards in fabrication shop conditions rather than on-site.

KEY FACTS

  • Works carried out accident free
  • No interruptions to the operation of the compressor station
  • All welding, inspection, testing and commissioning carried out through direct delivery
  • Replaced 24 Electric Valve Actuators
  • Replaced 36 existing Solenoid Actuator Panels
  • Successful liaison with multiple OEM contractors.