SubscribeThe logistical challenges inherent in tackling jobs overseas have proved no problem to Lawrence - even when the location is 4,000 miles away in the South Atlantic.
In the first quarter of 2003 the company completed its £5.5m project to reinforce onshore fuel supplies at Ascension Island. The contract provided additional onshore storage of aviation fuel to remove the need for continuous hire of a tanker for offshore storage.
The work comprised: demolition of seven existing tanks; two new 6000 m³ Avtur storage tanks, with a total capacity of 12 million litres, complete with bunds and cathodic protection; new fire system; bund drainage including oil water separator; new slops tank; dewatering and sampling facilities; alarm and control equipment; floating hose; vapour recovery; and new gates, fencing and lighting.
This contract posed serious logistical challenges and the key to the success of the scheme was meticulous planning. No provisions, plant or equipment is available on Ascension so everything had to be taken with the team including sand and aggregates for concreting, batching plants and all construction equipment and tools.
Calculating appropriate quantities was essential. Ships stop at Ascension Island on their way to St Helena and the Falkland Islands and depart from UK approximately every six weeks taking a month to reach their destination and not returning for a further six weeks. To maintain control of the programme and costs Lawrence chartered its own vessel to take everything in a single trip.
While on the island Lawrence was awarded additional works in the form of 900m of 4” steel welded pipeline spur (all above ground construction) designed to carry fuel to the diesel-powered generators within the Power Station. This installation also included the construction of a new meter stream and a “hot-tap” (live tie-in) onto an existing 10” pipeline that will serve the new pipeline with fuel.
Ascension Island is home to around 1,100 people, who comprise the staff and families operating the various military and telecommunications facilities for the BBC and Cable and Wireless. The island is also of great environmental importance. Strengthening onshore supplies greatly reduces the risk of any oil spillage from offshore tanker storage.
Green turtles and sooty terns use the beaches and volcanic cliffs as breeding grounds, and along with most other wildlife, is protected by law. The port at Georgetown has no deep-water dock so all material shipped to the island has been unloaded onto pontoons while the freighter lay at anchor one mile offshore. The pontoons were unloaded away from the beach in order to protect the turtles’ breeding grounds. Low intensity lighting has also been specified to avoid disturbing the turtles at night.
Upon completion of the contract, the vessel which had been moored at the island for the last 12 years, acting as a 'temporary' storage facility, could sail away on programme and a new, modern permanent facility left in its place.
