Gas Liquids Engineering Ltd.

Located above the gas rich 'tight sands' of the 6,000 square mile Colorado Piceance Basin, the Meeker production complex, which is owned by Enterprise, is the largest gas processing plant currently under construction in the United States.

As the design subcontractors for the project, (brought on by Propak Systems Ltd.), GLE understood the original brief was to take the 1000 foot four level main pipe rack from Meeker Phase I and modify it for use in Meeker II, and to update the existing Meeker I designs that were previously done in 2D. Although there was no mention of doing the work in 3D, it was obvious to GLE that the layout for this vital main artery of Meeker II, with its hundreds of interconnections, could be done more accurately and efficiently in 3D, even if the eventual deliverables were in 2D.

By developing a fully interactive 3D model, using CADWorx Plant Professional, GLE was able to conduct weekly reviews of the design to date between its designers, engineers, and the customer. The 3D benefits became evident during the review process, when GLE was able to show Enterprise areas where they thought design, process and construction savings could be made.

In seeing the value and potential of the 3D model, Enterprise and Propak made the bold decision to let GLE model the entire project in 3D and also redesign portions, if deemed necessary. This increase in scope for GLE gave the company 85% of the project which added 140 pieces of equipment, 13 skidded units, two million tons of steel, and 2,000 fabrication piping isometrics to their work load. It also resulted in a five-fold increase in GLE's budgeted hours, which were originally estimated at 8,000 man-hours.

According to data from the facility owner, Enterprise estimates the second phase of the Meeker facility will double the plant's gas processing capacity to 1.5 billion cubic feet per day, and 70,000 barrels per day of natural gas liquids (NGL) such as Pentane, Ethane, Propane, Isobutane, Butane and Condensate.

Construction of the Meeker II facility is presently underway and is due to be on line in the third quarter of 2008, an approximate fourteen-month construction schedule.

If you require more information, please contact Bruce Parsons, Vice President, Drafting Services and Information Technology at Gas Liquids Engineering Ltd.

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