Project Description

The Karachaganak gas condensate field, situated in the north-west region of Kazakhstan, covers an area of more than 280km2. The field’s reserves comprise over 1,200 million tons of oil and condensate, and more than 1.35 trillion cubic metres of gas.

Karachaganak Petroleum Operating BV (KPO) was formed to facilitate the field’s development. The company is owned by
five partners. Kazakhstan’s KazMunaiGas (KMG) acquired a 10% interest in the project in June 2012. BG Group and Eni each have 29.25% interest in KPO. Chevron has 18% and Lukoil holds the remaining 13.5%.

GTL were employed to provide helical (screw) piles feasibility, design and supervisory services for the refurbishment of a gas injection plant in North West Kazakhstan.

Geotechnical Ground Conditions and Geohazard Identification

The site in north Kazakhstan had complex ground and environmental conditions which would affect the design of the helical (screw) piles. GTL reviewed the available soils information and commissioned its own assessment of the geohazards that would affect the helical (screw) pile design on this project.

This assessment was carried out by Arup and its findings presented to the client by GTL. This took the form of geo-hazard identification and categorisation of risk.

This produced a risk based design approach to avoid additional geotechnical investigation, reducing the impacts on project programme. This strategy involved the use of preliminary pile and contract pile testing to confirm pile performance under load.

Helical Pile Design and Testing

The particular geohazards in this part of the world make the construction of any foundations difficult and challenging. GTL Partnership designed the helical screw piles taking into account the affects of collapsible (Metastable) soils, frost zones and challenging environmental conditions.Geotechnical Ground Conditions.

Despite the projects particular challenges, GTL designed and supervised the installation of over 300 piles that met both the load and settlement requirements from the client, including testing of 6% of the contract piles.

Client Name
AMEC
Karachaganak Petroleum
Operating BV consortium;
BG Group
ENI
Chevron
LukOil
KazMunaiGas

Project Name
Material Replacement Project
Unit 2

Services Provided
Geotechnical interpreta.on &
Consultancy
Structural Design of grillages
Founda.on Engineering
Design of specialist piles
Installa.on Supervision

Location
Uralsk, Kazachstan

Value
£2, 900,000

Completion
2011/12

The Team

  • Gavin Rixon – Project Director
  • Justin Wyeth – Construction
    Manager
  • Barnaby Tanner – Commercial
    Director
  • Tristan Toynbee – Design Director

 

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