Strategically located in Northeast Pennsylvania—the most active area of natural gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale formation—the Williams White Compressor Station takes gas produced from well pad sites and converts it to a pressure that can be transported through a pipeline to end users in the marketplace.

Working under an aggressive six-month schedule, crews constructed a greenfield compressor and dehydration station with support equipment and fully automated building infrastructure. Work included installation of approximately 700 ft of 24-in. pipeline, including piping modifications to an existing dehydration station inlet to allow for tie-in and isolation.

Most of the construction took place in less than four acres and was substantially completed in just 18 weeks. The work included: placing 3,875 cu yd of cast-in-place foundations; installing 16,621 ft of mechanical piping and 171,000 ft of electrical conduit; setting 51 major mechanical skids; and erecting a 75-ft by 249-ft compressor building. That phase of the project required intense planning, communication and coordination among all stakeholders.

The team had to overcome equipment delivery delays that jeopardized the tightly scheduled design-build sequence. To accommodate the amended delivery dates of super load compressors—weighing 131,000 lb—the team developed a construction sequence recovery plan that allowed construction to continue with minimal schedule impacts.

To receive the compressors safely, the team identified a new access route and worked around it by strategically excavating, placing concrete foundations and installing underground utilities, starting at the center and perimeters of the project, while ensuring that the alternate route was not disturbed and was ready to accept the massive units.

The team developed a 3D model to enhance its ability to micro-schedule placements, pipe welding and coating and construction logistics. Document control was managed through a web-based system that promoted a paperless environment and expedited the response time, allowing the team to maintain the tight schedule.

The project broke ground in February 2014, during a harsh winter followed by a muddy spring.  Additional labor and equipment resources were brought in to maintain snow removal; dry the excavation trenches after heavy rain and protect the concrete placements by heating; and conducting hourly temperature recordings around the clock.

White Compressor Station

Springville Township, Pa.

Key Players
Owner Williams Field Services Co.
Lead Designer Williams Cos.
General Contractor Cianbro Corp.
Fencing Rutkoski Fencing
Mechanical Roustabouts D&B Contractors
Survey Navarro & Wright
Core Drilling Atlantic Concrete
Electrical Contractor CDP Electrical
Miscellaneous Grouting Alliance Masonry Corp.
Insulation Versitech