| Kern River Pipeline |
The Kern River Gas Transmission decided to expand the existing
Kern River gas pipeline by 700 miles. ARB, Inc. successfully
bid on Spread 10 of the Kern River gas pipeline. Spread
10 consisted of 82 miles of 42-inch pipe, while all
other spreads required 36-inch pipe, The larger diameter
pipe gave ARB, Inc. the greatest challenge of the expansion.
ARB met the challenge and completed the project in only
four months. The Kern River gas pipeline begins in Wyoming
and ends in California, and will provide 900 million
cubic feet per day of natural gas. The new pipeline
was severely important to provide the increasing need
for natural gas. The original pipeline has been running
at 100 percent capacity for a few years, and the federal
government recognized the importance of the expansion
and permitted the project in record time. All the crews
and equipment where allowed on the right-of-way only
one week prior to the start of the job, because of permitting.
ARB had to review every detail of the pipeline and prepare for the worse. The equipment demand for a project of this scope was gigantic, and before the project start-up ARB mobilized 300 pieces of equipment. Three-quarters of the equipment used was owned by ARB.
Daggett to Mojave, California The pipeline went through many environmental, and archeological sensitive areas. ARB employees were trained about the sensitivity of the region and the proper procedures incase a situation were to arise. Monitors were placed with every crew along the right-of-way to guarantee a project with minimal disturbance to the area. Over 500 employees worked on the pipeline, including local labor. All employees had to go through safety instruction and drug testing implemented by Williams and additional training required by ARB. Safety is always a priority of ARB. With a pipeline of this size and working to meet a deadline, safety of all employees was a huge concern. The terrain of the project ranged from mountains to river beds. The trench had to be a minimum of 7 feet deep, and the majority was dug using two large trenchers cutting a 60-inch ditch. ARB had 23 directional drills under highways and railroad crossings, all completed with a brand new 60-inch boring machine. Automatic Welding Systems attached to pipelayers, where used to provide rapid accurate welding along the pipeline.
ARB had to review every detail of the pipeline and prepare for the worse. The equipment demand for a project of this scope was gigantic, and before the project start-up ARB mobilized 300 pieces of equipment. Three-quarters of the equipment used was owned by ARB.
Daggett to Mojave, California The pipeline went through many environmental, and archeological sensitive areas. ARB employees were trained about the sensitivity of the region and the proper procedures incase a situation were to arise. Monitors were placed with every crew along the right-of-way to guarantee a project with minimal disturbance to the area. Over 500 employees worked on the pipeline, including local labor. All employees had to go through safety instruction and drug testing implemented by Williams and additional training required by ARB. Safety is always a priority of ARB. With a pipeline of this size and working to meet a deadline, safety of all employees was a huge concern. The terrain of the project ranged from mountains to river beds. The trench had to be a minimum of 7 feet deep, and the majority was dug using two large trenchers cutting a 60-inch ditch. ARB had 23 directional drills under highways and railroad crossings, all completed with a brand new 60-inch boring machine. Automatic Welding Systems attached to pipelayers, where used to provide rapid accurate welding along the pipeline.
