Customer
San Patricio Electric Cooperative (SPEC)
Location
Texas
Highlights
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Reconductor project supports Kinder Morgan pipeline load increase
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Aggressive timeline met through multi-crew coordination and design flexibility
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ROW navigation and easement acceleration enabled early completion
Rapid Reconductor Delivery Supports Pipeline Power Demands
The Challenge
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.