Plant Demolition
Plant Demolition
(OP)
I have recently been promoted to manage the demolition of an upstream oil and gas facility plant. This being my first full-scale management of such a project I thought I could ask for some pointers from members of this group who may have a background in this type of work.
The scope of work includes some of the following:
-source water wells(to be cut and capped)
-monitoring wells(to be cut/capped and abandoned)
-brackish water wells(to be cut/capped and abandoned)
-tank farm(to be removed, possible reclamation work)
-power distribution decommisioning(above and below ground)
-above ground piperack and pipelines(to be purged and demolished)
-waste treatment facility(to be removed, possible reclamation work)
My first thoughts are to designate a cut point list to provide clear direction to site personnel as to where these lines are to be cut. Piling is also an issue, since this area will be used to construct a new phase of the plant once demolition is complete. Existing piles should be asbuilt to avoid possible conflicts with new construction.
The scope of work includes some of the following:
-source water wells(to be cut and capped)
-monitoring wells(to be cut/capped and abandoned)
-brackish water wells(to be cut/capped and abandoned)
-tank farm(to be removed, possible reclamation work)
-power distribution decommisioning(above and below ground)
-above ground piperack and pipelines(to be purged and demolished)
-waste treatment facility(to be removed, possible reclamation work)
My first thoughts are to designate a cut point list to provide clear direction to site personnel as to where these lines are to be cut. Piling is also an issue, since this area will be used to construct a new phase of the plant once demolition is complete. Existing piles should be asbuilt to avoid possible conflicts with new construction.





RE: Plant Demolition
From experience in this type of plant demolitions.
Unless you have very, very accurate drawings (which might be unlikely because if the plant was new enough to have them you wouldn't be demolishing it) do your budget and add 50% on top of that for "surprises".
Get a very thorough line locating company. Get a good hydrovac and be thorough.
Yes, there will be lots of reclamation. See what can be grandfathered to the next plant, as you typically do not need to do full reclamation unless the site is to be decomissioned.
I do not know, but in my case we quite often had railcars for tanks. These are straight forward. But if you have these, quite possibly the vertical tanks will have piles underneath. Makes it challenging to remove them.
Be very thorough in the basic engineering. Confirm tie-ins and caps multiple times. It is better when you do it in conjunction with the mechanical and electrical contractors. Get them and the construction (destruction) manager involved as much as possible in the planning stages.
There's lots I could say, but basically, be thorough, patient and enjoy!
RE: Plant Demolition