Challenges are inevitable if you work in the energy industry. Rather than fearing them, we embrace them with enthusiasm. Here are some of our latest exciting engineering projects, along with some compelling insights.
Case 1: How we helped AltaGas improve their natural-gas processing
Altagas owns and operates utilities that store and deliver natural gas to homes and businesses. Their processing plants clean and refine this gas, making it safe for heating, electricity, and other uses, while also reducing environmental emissions.
To improve their gas processing, we conducted a plant survey and pinpointed areas needing enhancement, such as adding flow meters, repairing equipment, and refining control systems. Because natural gas systems are highly interactive, changes in one part can affect the whole system, so our approach had to be precise and sophisticated, which we were able to execute effectively.
Case 2: How we completed hydraulic simulations for Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil operates a water system where a barge moves water from the West External Tailings Area (WETA) to a recycled water pond through a central dike. Rising water levels at WETA have increased the dike’s elevation, prompting the need for steady-state hydraulics analysis at various elevations and identification of risks for the water reclaim system.
Our study assessed how changes in dike elevation and the performance of both current and de-staged pumps affect the system. We were able to predict potential worst-case scenarios and suggest mitigation strategies.
Case 3: How we helped Enbridge improve their training software
Enbridge’s training software for pipeline operators had 80 scenarios with custom grading, but they needed more scenarios and better testing strategies. They also wanted the software to provide detailed feedback, not just “pass or fail.”
We improved the process for adding and updating scenarios and added data analytics to give facilitators clearer insights into operators’ performance, helping them pinpoint areas for improvement.
