Keller installs bored piles in brownfield conditions during partial plant shut down.

installing bored piles

The project

Works comprised of 404 lm of 600mm diameter cast in place bored piles to a depth of 13.5m with internal shifting of equipment to four individual tanks, including 1 no. pile load test and 30 no. pile integrity tests. 

Applied vibration free technique to install piles as close as 1.5m from the H2S de-gasing tanks.

This project was completed under high Saudi Aramco HSE and Quality standards.

The challenge

The work was to be carried out in brownfield conditions in close vicinity of existing plant. The piles were to be executed in the limited time allowed during partial plant shut down. Very stringent working conditions were imposed from QHSE perspective and 24 hour work program.

The appropriate methodology was required to ensure a vibration free solution for installing the cast-in-situ bored piles that were located 1.5m away from existing facility. The soil conditions were variable and required adjustments in cased lengths that were inserted by rotation method.

The solution

Vibration free installation of temporary casing to full pile depth to prevent collapse of hole and soil boiling at toe level. Due to limited time allowed during partial plant shut down the drilling and concrete and steel placement was done continuously without break in double shift. Each pile location was physically checked and clear distances from the existing facility were clearly marked and released for construction confirming no obstruction or underlying services. 

Project facts

Owner(s)

Saudi Aramco

Keller business unit(s)

Keller Middle East

Main contractor(s)

Arabian BEMCO Contracting Company

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