Project early works
wkc began work in May 2011 with the survey of 52 special crossings.
With the bulk of the route profile and contours captured by light detection and ranging (LiDAR) only significant crossings required ground survey for design purposes.
A number of these were significant geographic features, such as Baffle Creek and the Carnarvon Escarpment, and had vertical declines of 100-150 m over only several hundred metres.
Such unique and challenging landscapes required experienced pipeline field surveyors.
In conjunction with the crossing surveys, the crews set out pipe stockpile areas in Gladstone and Port Alma, camp sites and mainline stockpiles sites.
Unexpected ground conditions at some of these sites, such as shallow rock and drainage problems, resulted in design changes that were quickly created, checked and provided directly to the civil crews on site via traditional set out methods or machine guidance upload.
Curtis Island Marine Crossing, Gladstone – hydrographic survey and early works
A major component of wkc’s activities in early 2012 was the works associated with the Narrows Crossing Tunnel in Gladstone.
An innovative 4.3 km undersea segmental lined tunnel (3.4 m internal diameter) solution was chosen to eliminate the environmental disturbance to mudflats.
wkc provided hydrographic and topography surveys as well as 3D modelling for the design process.
Thiess was awarded the subcontract to construct the tunnel and wkc was engaged by Thiess from October 2012 to May 2013 to undertake control network creation and surveys for 70,000 m2 launch site pad, a launch box structure and a reception shaft on Curtis Island.
The Narrows Crossing Tunnel Project was awarded 2014 Queensland Premier’s Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award.
Pipeline construction
The construction survey has covered a vast scope of work including all set-out surveys for the right-of-way, facility sites, camps and laydown areas.
Additionally wkc provided extensive bending, stringing and design support to ensure the large diameter pipeline was constructed as easily as possible though difficult terrain.
Aside from the design element of this operation, ensuring numerous machines operating in a number of areas, stretched over long distances continually received the GPS broadcast signal was a complicated logistical exercise in itself.
At its peak 35 surveyors and survey technicians on a 28/9 continuous coverage roster worked on the project.
In conjunction with the centreline and bending design wkc crews undertook:
- Spatial upgrade of approximately 120 km of easement boundary;
- Facilities survey, pipe design and set out including Curtis Island interconnects;
- Set-out of HDDs including rail lines and monitoring;
- As-built of all welds, fittings and fibre optic for 420 km;
- Rehabilitation surveys and marker sign set-out; and,
- Survey support for road works and dams for hydrostatic testing purposes, geotechnical and environmental services.
With the project completion in September 2014, wkc had accumulated in excess of 120,000 man hours on the project, with two first aid injuries the only safety or logistical problems recorded.
wkc congratulates Saipem Australia for the successful completion of the GLNG Project and would like to extend its appreciation to all Saipem managers and staff who worked with the company’s team through the past 40 months on this project.
For more information of the services provided by wkc visit www.wkc.com.au.