The existing Young to Wagga Pipeline provides gas to towns in central south New South Wales. The looping pipeline was designed to provide additional gas storage capacity to ensure flexibility and security of supply to these communities and to the newly completed gas-fired Uranquinty Power Station, located to the south of Wagga Wagga. The project involved the construction of 61 km of 18 inch diameter API X70 dual-layer fusion-bond epoxy coated pipe. The new pipeline, which was laid 7 m from the original pipeline, was completed in 1981 by Red Ru Pipeline Construction Pty Ltd.

After a delayed start to the project due to regulatory approval issues, work commenced in late June 2010. The project team found themselves in the midst of the wettest and coldest winter that the area had seen for generations. This created some major challenges, all of which WDS said have been overcome by a professional and pro-active work crew.

The project demonstrated both APA and WDS’ commitment to the local community, who have assisted the project by providing access to the pipeline easement and supplying goods and services to the crew during the period of construction. The company acknowledges the assistance that has been generously provided by the local communities.

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The WDS Energy Division has recently been awarded a number of contracts, including surface in-seam (SIS) drilling, and skid and piping fabrication for Arrow Energy’s Moranbah Gas Project Expansion; and, gathering system construction and compressor installation for QGC.

The Moranbah scope of works

Arrow awarded Titeline Energy (a WDS group company) a contract for the SIS drilling of vertical production wells over a one-year period with a further one-year option. At the time of writing, Titeline Energy has deployed one rig on this contract and expects to deploy a second rig in early 2011. WDS has undertaken work for the Moranbah Gas Project for a number of years, including drilling works, engineering, gathering system construction and compressor station installation.

The fabrication package for well head skids for the Moranbah expansion involve the procurement and fabrication of 29 well head skids. The works will be undertaken in WDS’ South East Queensland fabrication facility, which has been purpose built for coal seam gas (CSG) fabrication works. The works are expected to be completed February 2011. In addition, Newcrest Mining Limited has awarded WDS a supply and fabrication of piping package for it's Lihir Island interim power station works.

QGC gathering system construction and compressor installation

WDS recently received a number of purchase orders for CSG gathering system construction and compressor installation works for QGC, the Australian subsidiary of BG Group. This work continues WDS’ relationship with QGC. Since 2005, WDS has undertaken over 700 km of gathering system construction and installed over 45 compressors for QGC. WDS has commenced and anticipates the works to be complete early in 2011. Over 100 people are employed on these works.

WDS Group Managing Director Terry Chapman said “These projects provide opportunities to continue to build WDS’ fabrication, drilling and CSG field infrastructure construction while delivering on our core values of safety and quality. We are pleased to continue our work for these blue chip clients.”