electrical grounding inspection

Customer

San Patricio Electric Cooperative (SPEC)

Location

Texas

Highlights

  • Reconductor project supports Kinder Morgan pipeline load increase
  • Aggressive timeline met through multi-crew coordination and design flexibility
  • ROW navigation and easement acceleration enabled early completion

Rapid Reconductor Delivery Supports Pipeline Power Demands 

The Challenge

A newly constructed Kinder Morgan oil pad and pipeline in George West, Texas, demanded more power than the existing distribution conductor could support. San Patricio Electric Cooperative needed an immediate reconductor solution to meet the surge in load requirements. The timeline was highly compressed, allowing little room for traditional easement acquisitions, data collection, or vegetation clearing. Fast execution was critical; delays would jeopardize both pipeline startup and utility service expectations. 

Root Cause Analysis 

  • Undersized Infrastructure: Existing conductor capacity was insufficient for the new industrial load. 
  • Timeline Compression: Kinder Morgan required completion in a fraction of the standard utility project timeline. 
  • Easement Constraints: Limited time to acquire permissions pushed the need for rapid, creative rerouting. 

The Solution

Easement and ROW Flexibility 

Where private easements could not be secured, the team quickly coordinated with County/TxDOT to reroute sections to public Right of Way, eliminating potential bottlenecks and maintaining project momentum. 

Multi-Crew Staggered Execution 

Two field teams worked in tandem from opposite ends of the corridor. Their split-and-meet method, targeting a synchronized midpoint, allowed progress to occur in parallel, maximizing productivity. 

Real-Time Team Scaling 

The project manager sourced crew support outside the regular team to meet fluctuating demands. This included design handoffs, coordination with SPEC, and GIS system updates, all managed in real time while crews advanced on the ground.  

ROW Clearing and Ride-outs 

Early advancement by the team enabled ROW crews to enter quickly, clearing vegetation obstacles and triggering the final staking phase ahead of schedule. 

Key Benefits

  • Industry-Leading Turnaround: Work was completed in nearly half the originally allotted timeline. 
  • Minimal Utility Oversight Required: SPEC employees were freed from routine oversight thanks to the team’s self-managed execution. 
  • Adaptive Crew Management: Responsive, last-minute team deployments maximized efficiency during constrained field conditions. 
  • Field Commitment: Extended stays and travel by the field team enabled consistency and speed rarely matched in comparable utility work. 

The Results

Think Power Solutions field team successfully delivered the full reconductor solution, data collection, staking, design, ROW management, and GIS work, well ahead of SPEC’s September deadline. With an expected completion date in July, the project is tracking to finish two months early and within budget. SPEC praised the seamless execution and reliability of Think Power Solutions’ delivery, highlighting it as a benchmark for accelerated utility infrastructure builds. 

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