Nexen Aurora LNG
- LOCATION: Prince Rupert, BC, Canada
- EQUIPMENT: Fraste MDXL, Sea Cans, anchor winches, ancillary equipment
Geotech participated with industry partner, Gregg Drilling and Testing Canada, on a nearshore geotechnical investigation drill program for the Aurora LNG project off Digby Island in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Geotech completed multiple mud rotary near shore boreholes, utilizing a casing advancer system to drill boreholes ranging from 13 meters to 45 meters, in water depths ranging from 6 meters to 30 meters. During the course of the program a multitude of geotechnical testing and sampling was completed, including; standard penetration testing, piston sampling, shelby tube Sampling, Nilcon Vane Shears, and cone penetration testing.
This program involved a Fraste MDXL drill rig, Sea Cans, anchor winches, and ancillary equipment on a 50 m by 15m barge which required significant specialized revisions to satisfy the requirements of the project.
CHALLENGES
- Wind, weather, tides, and working close to the shore and existing infrastructure presented challenges throughout this program.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Although faced with challenges, the drill program was completed ahead of schedule, under budget, and with zero incidents.
