More than 400 members of ABC recently joined together to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the 12th Excellence In Construction Award winners. Ref-Chem LP submitted the Williams Herminie Phase I Compressor Station project in this competition and was selected as one of the 2013 finalists in the industrial construction category. This prestigious award recognizes projects that exemplify innovative design, precise craftsmanship, superior safety practices and many other considerations.
The Williams Herminie project located on the new Transco pipelines within the new Marcellus Shale gas fields in Pennsylvania was critical for the success of the new pipeline and infant gathering system to move natural gas to the East Coast buyers.
Ref-Chem self-performed 95 percent of all project work over a period of seven months. This project included 97,432 man-hours, 508 cubic yards of concrete, 18,590 linear feet of pipe, 19.87 tons of steel and the installation of 33 pieces of new equipment.
The scope of work for this construction package included installing civil foundations, structural steel erection, ladders and platforms, miscellaneous steel supports, equipment assembly and erection, rotating equipment assembly and grouting. The project also included pipe erection, installation of all piping, valves and inline instruments, miscellaneous pipe supports and electrical erection.
Ref-Chem overcame several challenges including difficult time constraints in a remote area, extreme weather conditions and ever-changing working conditions in order to work safely and productively. Through the teams’ shear determination, extensive planning, constant communication and positive outlook, the work progressed toward the completion goal.
As stated by Amanda Kaiser, engineer III — Williams Herminie Phase I project manager in her letter to Ref-Chem Project Manager David Lindquist, “Despite these and other obstacles, the company commissioning group called the facility ‘the poster child of how a station should be built.’”
Due to extreme weather conditions including snow, rain and hazardous ice, Ref-Chem proactively purchased all employees actively working on the project specialty walking traction devices that easily attached to the standard work boot. These traction devices assisted in greater stability and the prevention of slips, trips and falls due to unstable walking conditions. Ref-Chem also purchased rain resistant and cold weather fire retardant clothing for the protection of these employees and provided thick, warm and breathable clothing that allowed moisture to leave the garment while keeping rain and cold weather out. The “Employee Safe Walking” and “Safe Clothing” programs were implemented to ensure the safety and health of all employees while allowing the project to continue.
Ref-Chem Vice President Jeff Havens commended the team for a job well done. “I would like to convey my sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the staff who contributed to the support of the Hermanie Phase I Project and especially to David Lindquist, project manager, whose full support and leadership was evident and resulted in a success that everyone is proud of,” he said.
Throughout the project, Ref-Chem remained focused on the goals for safety, quality, schedule and cost and was committed to the owner and to the project team. As a result, all major project goals were successfully met. Although Ref-Chem was faced with multiple challenges, the team was able to overcome each one successfully in order to complete the project safely and of the highest quality while meeting their customer’s critical goal for the new pipeline and infant gathering system to move gas to the East Coast buyer on schedule.
For more information, visit www.ref-chem.com or call (888) 685-8531.