Overview

We were selected by UGI to fast-track full permitting and design services for a 5,600-hp compressor facility in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Due to higher than projected production of natural gas from prolific Marcellus Shale wells serving a Fortune 100 firm’s local manufacturing facility, compression is required to move 120/MMCF of gas per day outbound to retail markets. Components of this facility include four 1,400hp compressors housed in a 7,200 square foot noise-attenuating steel building, on-site gas piping and connections, control building (metering, over-pressurization protection [OPP], electronic gas management [EGM]), electric service, emergency generator, SCADA system, and water services.

Solution Details

Professional engineering services for this project included site survey and plans, civil and site plans, conceptual flow diagram and mechanical equipment sizing, preliminary and final design of structural, mechanical, architectural, electrical elements, and preparation of construction drawings/ specifications. Key features included gas compression/filtering/measurement, compressed air system, water/oil blowdown and tank, Class I Division 1 and Division 2 electrical installations, high levels of ventilation, and building/structural design with external sound control requirements.

Concurrent with design, we completed multiple permitting tasks. Land development plans necessary to secure local zoning and land development approvals included site layout meeting zoning and setback requirements, preliminary and final grading and lighting plan, and stormwater plans. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permitting prior to construction included a detailed Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, and air quality permitting for all on-site emission sources.

Initial tasks included hydraulic pipeline modeling and flow diagrams to ensure sizing, connections, and instrumentation requirements, detailed design of specific compressor components, and ancillary systems to complete the operating systems, evaluation of electric loads, power and service requirements, and geotechnical evaluations to prepare foundation and structural design for the station building.

Supporting this project through construction, we provided technical clarification and interpretation of contract documents, review and maintenance of shop drawings, owner assistance with negotiations, start-up testing and training, and preparation of record drawings.