Enterprise Fractionation Plant, ISBL Expansion Project, Norco

Enterprise Products' ISBL expansion project was a complex project combining various types of industrial construction under a lump sum contract. The expansion project included four major phases: pipeline pumps project, ISBL foundations project, ISBL mechanical expansion project and the storage sphere hook-up.

Due to economic conditions and the time required to produce detailed engineering plans, Enterprise elected to competitively bid the different phases of construction on a lump sum basis. Each package was bid separately with consideration to what cost and schedule impact they would have on the work in progress and future packages.

In addition, several addendums were issued to each package as detailed engineering was finalized. The profitability of the project is directly proportional to the volume of natural gas liquids processed daily. The outcome of the project was a 40 percent increase in capacity.

The project generated some unique circumstances and challenges to the owner, engineer and contractor. The project consisted of the major revampment of the existing fractionation facility with a 21-day critical plant shutdown that included capital project work and integrated maintenance activities.

Seventy-two percent of the work was performed in an operating unit of the fractionation plant over an 11-month duration. The remaining 28 percent was completed during a shutdown of the unit for a 21-day "around the clock" unit turnaround.

Maintaining the logically tied detailed schedule and tracking systems enabled the project team to make sound decisions with regard to areas of priority and workweek schedules. The overall project plan included the activities of all subcontractors, as well as owner inspection hold points and milestone delivery dates.