ARCO Refinery Modular Fabrication

Fluor Daniel completed construction of seven process modules for a crude oil and natural gas refinery at ARCO’s oil field development on Alaska’s North Slope. Ranging in size from 400 to 2,700 tons, the modules were constructed in Oregon adjacent to the Willamette River and transported by 2,000-ton crawlers to barges to reach their final destination in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.

Client's Challenge

The project was on a strict schedule, as fabrication and sealift had to be completed prior to the onset of Arctic winter.

Fluor's Solution

The scope of the module fabrication included:

Approximately 2,400 tons of structural steel
Approximately 240 tagged item pieces of equipment
Approximately 125,000 linear feet of pipe

The majority of module exteriors were enclosed with insulated metal panels. Each module contained its own control room and motor control centers.

The project's workforce peaked at 1,100 craftsmen.

Conclusion

The project was completed in 1986, after which the modular refinery pumped 100,000 barrels per day of oil into the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.