Peterborough Gas Compressors

A circa £10 Million civils package working for Costain & National Grid as part of the Peterborough Gas Compressor Upgrade. The works covered a varied scope including site setup, intensive investigation works, RC works, bulk excavations & demolition. These works were completed in line with a strict programme that required shutdown of the plant. Throughout the project Hercules Site Services contributed to an excellent safety culture on site with consistently high scores from both Principal Contractor (Costain) & Client (National Grid).

Phase 1 Permanent Works:

Early permanent Civils included construction of various works to facilitate the changeover of key process plant including:

• RC slab construction for Vent Stack & Nitrogen Snuffing installations. Due to poor ground conditions, large mass foundations
  (up to 300m3) were required. Self-compacting concrete was used to eliminate H&S risks & ensure sufficient
  compaction was achieved.
• Setup of external perimeter fencing & associated compound & car park areas.
• New access gate into National Grid compound including service diversions (LV & Fibre), RC slab & installation of new high security fencing & gates.
• 400m+ class 1 ducting installation & drawpits. GRP prefabricated units were utilised to reduce overall construction time & eliminate requirement for cranage in an area where high pressure gas lines were present.

Shutdown Works:

Due to the nature of these works, they were completed during plant shutdown between April & November. Works included:

• Extensive investigation utilising vacuum excavators due to limited as-built service information.
• 300m+ of open cut excavations for installation of new vent lines through the middle of the compressor plant. These excavations were blinded and sanded ready for mechanical pipework installation.
• Excavation & installation of temporary works (sheets driven by others) for new balance line installation. This excavation was up to 4.5m deep and excessive breakout of rock layer. Hercules utilised BROKK remote breaker to eliminate risk of persons working within the trench during breakout operations.
• Backfill of all process pipework including import of large quantities of sand to surround ‘live’ gas pipework post installation. Due to the critical nature of the shutdown, night shifts were mobilised to ensure pipework was backfilled on time to allow plant to be brought back online.

Support /Misc. Works

Along with the main contracted works, Hercules also completed & assisted with the maintenance of the site. These works included:

• Dewatering of site including the management of a large number of pumps feeding to a siltbuster. The works were managed effectively in line with a strict environmental consent.
• Outfall remediation works to allow discharge without causing erosion to bank.

Along with the main contracted works, Hercules also completed & assisted with the maintenance of the site. These works included:

• Removal of 200m of tree line to facilitate new.
• Construction works access & control building.
• Excavation & lining of pond to meet Environmental commitments of PC.
• Planting of 30+ semi-mature tree and landscaping of site perimeter to provide future screen to nearby residents.
• Supply of Dayworks team inc. telehandler op & banksman, gateman, yardman & cleaners.