Project Scope

Graycor completed a third-phase upgrade to Nicor Gas’ underground gas storage facility in Streator, Illinois. Located about 80 miles southwest of Chicago, the $9-million project situated within a prairie and farmland community is part of Southern Company Gas’ (Nicor Gas’ parent company) program to modernize and replace aging facilities.

The project called for Graycor’s team to install two Solar Centaur 50 natural gas compressors and associated piping, concrete foundations and electrical infrastructure at Nicor Gas’ Ancona storage field, which uses compression to inject natural gas into an underground aquifer reservoir.

Built in 1965, the station controls the natural gas that is injected and withdrawn from the aquifer, allowing Nicor Gas to store the gas throughout the year and then retrieve it for customers during peak winter months.

Utilizing its fabrication facility in Portage, Indiana, Graycor fabricated the project’s pipe spools that ranged from 2 inches to 20 inches of carbon steel. The welded small- and large-bore spools were sent out for paint coating before being delivered to the job site. In just three months, Graycor’s team fabricated approximately 7,000 lineal feet of pipe.

By employing its fabrication capabilities, Graycor increased the project’s productivity by performing the work within a controlled environment while using its in-house equipment for fit-ups and welds that would typically take more effort to be completed at the job site. In addition, the project site was less congested due to the reduced number of workers needed to complete the scope of work.

Because a large portion of the project’s piping was under the jurisdiction of 49 CFR Part 192, all Graycor employees assigned to the project were trained in Operator Qualification regulations.

A total of 12,000 lineal feet of piping was installed, of which 5,000 lineal feet required pigging and drying.

Self-perform work included installation of pipe and ductwork, as well as equipment setting and alignment. Trades utilized were pipefitters, millwrights, laborers and boilermakers while subcontracted work included civil foundations, radiant flooring installation, electrical, excavation, pre-engineered building erection and surveying.