Assignment
Golder conducted the Phase 3 geotechnical investigation for the planned Chevron Wheatstone liquefied natural gas plant in Western Australia. This required us to complete approximately 5000 metres (16,000 feet) of drilling in a remote and hostile environment within a tight time frame. It also meant assembling a team of over 60 Golder staff from several parts of Australia and around the globe to help with the field works and reporting. This project was one of the largest Golder has ever undertaken.

Our Role
Geotechnical

• Approximately 5000 m of nearshore and onshore drilling, 255 Cone Penetration Tests (CPT), 88 test pits and over 10,000 laboratory tests were completed. Included geological mapping and preparation of 22 factual and interpretive reports. 

Environmental Permitting

• Design and implementation of a Permit to Work (PTW) system which enabled tracking of the vegetation disturbance area and ensured the limits dictated in the EPA Vegetation Clearance Permit were not exceeded.

Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS)

• ASS investigations completed at over 241 locations and factual and interpretive reports prepared to aid assessment of the potential presence of ASS at the site.

Surveying

• Surveying of all proposed and as-built investigation locations and design and installation of three survey monuments for use during construction. Level traverse conducted to establish the local correlation between Lowest Astonomical Tide (LAT) and Australia Height Datum (AHD).

Botany

• Completed as part of the PTW and areas of significant flora recorded to guide changes to access routes and investigation locations to avoid disturbance.

Waste Management

• Waste management system design and implementation to manage waste produced during the investigation in accordance with Chevron requirements.

Geophysics

• 17 electrical resistivity soundings, three Vertical Seismic Shear Wave Profiles (VSSP) and approximately 14 km of Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW). Onshore to nearshore traverse undertaken for proposed pipeline alignment.

GIS and Date Management

• Use of Arcpad and tablet PCs to improve quality and efficiency of data collected in the field. Tablet PCs enabled electronic logs to be generated in the field, so draft bore hole and test pit records were provided to Chevron within 48 hours.   

Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Culture

• All site personnel completed an IIF induction, training and medicals before commencing fieldwork. Hazard identification workshops were completed for all aspects of the field programme before heading to site. Daily toolbox meetings raised HSE issues and keep personnel informed. No lost time injuries (LTI's), days away from work or fatalities were recorded for the duration of the project.

Budget and Schedule

• All 22 reports were provided on budget and on schedule. The fieldwork was completed on budget and within the schedule that was allowed for the increased scope of works.

Onslow Community

• Golder liaised regularly with the local community and shared emergency response capability such as the 4WD ambulance and paramedic service. The team organised a ‘head shaving' event to raise funds for the local day care facility, participated in the local ANZAC Day remembrance service and encouraged locals to participate in a soccer skills training group, hosted by Golder enthusiasts of the sport.

Contractors

• During fieldwork, more than 15 contractors were engaged by Golder. A one team ethos was created by using "Max the Meerkat" in recognition of good HSE performance / practice.