Aura Engineering completed the design and coordinated the construction effort of a 70,000 barrel per day (bpd) crude oil gathering and booster pump station on a green field site near Watford City, North Dakota. The facility consists of six (6) climate controlled truck unloading LACT units, an inbound metering skid, crude stabilization equipment to reduce product vapor pressure, and 240,000 barrels (bbl) of on-site storage. The pipeline booster pump package includes climate controlled buildings housing five (5) charge pumps and three (3) 600HP mainline pumps to transport up to 70,000 bbls of product per day down a 10” pipeline.
The mechanical design was completed entirely in AutoCAD Plant 3D. This 3D modeling software was very useful in facilitating easy coordination between the design team, end user, and on-site contractor. Aura also provided a complete I&E design package, including specification for the motor control centers, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for large pumps, and a crude stabilization package. The design included special provisions for the harsh winter conditions that are regularly encountered in northwestern North Dakota.
In addition to the engineering design, Aura provided written procedures for the safe operation of the terminal facility, as well as on-site start-up and commissioning assistance.