On Top of Things Down Under

dteq not only manages heavy operations but also performs them with various types of equipment, also partly owned by dteq.

As for all operations, meticulous planning is a must for successful project execution. When working with your own staff, various elements come on top, such as working visas and HSE training in accordance with local certification and requirements. This is a critical administrative process that needs to be approached well before the project execution.

Power project in Australia

The scope of work of this project was not only the installation of 12 units with 300-metric-ton engines by means of jacking and skidding, but also the marriage of the engines with 72-metric-ton gensets. To perform the work, dteq mobilized a container with own specialized hydraulic jacking and skidding equipment. All equipment was tested and recertified prior to mobilization and then cleaned in accordance with the strict AQIS requirements to ensure a smooth import process without any delays. The installation of the power generation equipment had to take place under a tight schedule. In collaboration, deugro and dteq, both companies of the deugro group, were tasked with the arrangement of the exact delivery dates to the site, which were dictated by the project three months in advance. To meet the dates, close coordination between the stakeholders had to be maintained at all times.

There were several parties involved: the port authorities governing the wharf infrastructure, local utility companies for raising and modifying power lines en route, residents along the route who had to be supplied with alternative power for the duration of the transport, the Department of Infrastructure for crossing the causeway, the Australian Rail for crossing rails, as well as the existing and operating power plant, whose premises had to be passed.

In preparation of the transport, deugro performed surveys of bridges and underground services, which then formed part of structural assessments for passing the infrastructure with about 400 metric tons of transport configuration. The actual transport schedule was concluded on time over 18 consecutive nights: six nights to complete the movement of the two 72 metric ton generators and 12 nights to complete the movement of the much larger 300-metric-ton engine. Each movement being successfully completed without any delays or incidents.

For the marriage, the generator had to be placed exactly against the faceplate of the engine. The team worked with tolerances of up to just 0.2 millimeters in all three axis before bolting the units together. During the final placement and alignment of the gensets, the complete unit had to be levelled and shimmed across the whole length of the top foundation pad. The marriage scope was successfully concluded on schedule over a 30-day installation window. The client was very satisfied with the planning and execution of all performed services and has recently awarded dteq for further installation and coordination activities on their other job sites.