Construction of major LNG pipelines in Queensland—challenges, achievements, and lessons
Mark Barrows A , Leon Richards A and Ben Byth AMcConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd.
The APPEA Journal 54(2) 488-488 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ13061
Published: 2014
Abstract
Introduction: The Queensland economy has experienced a significant surge in investment in recent years through the unprecedented level of capital investment in the LNG sector. These major projects have required major pipeline connections between the Surat Basin and processing facilities on Curtis Island, near Gladstone. McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd (in joint venture with Consolidated Contracting Company Australia Pty Ltd) have constructed the major pipeline infrastructure for the QCLNG and APLNG projects. This extended abstract and its presentation explore the challenges, achievements and lessons through these projects including early contractor engagement, engineering, procurement, resourcing, safety, environment, stakeholder engagement and construction.
The challenge: The team faced the challenge of delivering three significant construction projects concurrent with an unprecedented level of design and construction activity associated with other packages associated with the LNG investment activity. This scope included:
QCLNG Gas Collection Header (197 km, 42 inch) and QCLNG Export Pipeline (334 km, 42 inch);
APLNG Condabri Lateral (56 km, 36 inch) and APLNG Export Pipeline (357 km, 42 inch); and,
QCLNG Narrows Crossing was a challenging 13 km pipeline section spanning creeks, marshland, tidal areas and works on Curtis Island.
Mark Barrows is an Operations Manager with McConnell Dowell. His career spans more than 30 years in the pipeline industry constructing gas, oil and water pipelines in Australasia, Asia and the United Kingdom. Mark’s current role is Project Manager for the MCJV on the APLNG Pipelines Project responsible for the EPC delivery of 630 km of high pressure pipelines delivering gas to Curtis Island for LNG production destined for Asian customers. |
Leon Richards is a graduate of The Queensland University of Technology (Associate Diploma and Bachelor of Civil Engineering) and has completed a Master of Engineering Science in Construction Management at the University of New South Wales and currently is completing a Master of Construction Law at the University of Melbourne. Leon is a Chartered Professional Engineer and a member of Engineers Australia; also a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland and a member of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering; and Society of Construction Law Australia. Leon is a Project Manager for McConnell Dowell Pipelines and recently was the Pipeline Construction Manager for MCJV on the QCLNG Export Pipeline Narrows Crossing. He has been a member of the McConnell Dowell Pipelines team since 1996 during which he has gained extensive Construction and Project Management experience in all environments working on projects throughout Australia and South East Asia in areas such as cross country, marine, swamp, steep terrain, trenchless and street works styles of pipeline construction in both the water and gas Industries. |
Ben Byth is the New Business & Strategy Manager for McConnell Dowell’s Pipeline division across the Australian and international markets. Ben is also the Strategy Lead for the McConnell Dowell business in the Oil & Gas Sector. Ben’s career history in construction covers a range of operational and new business roles in both Australia and internationally, spanning the Oil & Gas, Resources and Infrastructure sectors. He brings a particular focus to customer and stakeholder relationships, maximising outcomes through collaboration. |
