Mojave Pipeline

The Mojave Pipeline Operating Company contracted with Fluor for a pipeline from Topock, Arizona to Bakersfield, California. Fluor provided comprehensive engineering, procurement and construction management services for the new natural gas pipeline system. The pipeline transported natural gas from the western termination of the pipeline systems for El Paso Natural Gas and Enron into California to serve Kern County, California. The pipeline was 386 miles long, with a 30- to 42-inch mainline and capacity of 1100 million cubic feet per day.

The work scope also covered a 24-inch transfer line in Arizona; 16-inch, 30-inch and 42-inch laterals to Bakersfield and the Kern oil fields; a 12,000 horsepower compressor station in Topock; and facilities including control and maintenance buildings, SCADA, control systems, 23 gas meter stations and regulator facilities, instrumentation and telecommunications.

The use of clean-burning natural gas to generate steam was intended to reduce air pollution and result in more oil available for refining into finished petroleum products to market.

Client's Challenge

The Mojave Pipeline Operating Company was a partnership venture of El Paso Natural Gas Company and Enron Corporation. The intent of the Mojave pipeline project was to bring clean-burning natural gas to the enhanced oil recovery and cogeneration facilities in Kern County. As an interstate pipeline it was subject to federal, not state, jurisdiction.

The most serious issue facing the project involved the integration of environmental, design and topographic constraints into a procedure that allowed successful construction across vast stretches of federally protected habitat for threatened or endangered species. In all, approximately 30 plant and animal species with the potential to occur along the right-of-way were listed as "endangered," "threatened," or on a watch list at the federal or state level. Each of the plants and animals were the subject of a specific study submitted to the regulatory agencies for review.

Fluor's Environmental Affairs Manager played a leading role in negotiations with the state and federal regulatory agencies. Fluor built excellent relationships with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additionally, Fluor worked closely with the California Department of Fish and Game and the California State Lands Commission.

Fluor's Solution

Fluor provided project management and construction management, including overall planning and control of engineering, field services, permitting, contracts and procurement for a new natural gas pipeline system.

Fluor provided the planning, organization, staffing and logistical expertise involved to organize and integrate a team of surveyors, right-of-way agents, and engineers and scientists who carried the project through the site investigation and design phases into construction.

Fluor supervised the preparation of scientific studies on the major subjects of threatened and endangered species, geologic hazards and cultural resources. Fluor also provided environmental awareness training to 1,500 construction workers.

Conclusion

The project was completed on time and under budget, with no exceedances of federally imposed environmental limits and no lost time due to environmental constraints.