Feature Stories
New boiler feed water tank installed at central processing facility
Surmont's new tank during construction. Before the exterior cladding is installed, inner walls are carefully constructed and finalized to meet regulatory standards.
BY KATE MACCOMB
ConocoPhillips Canada recently replaced a boiler feed water tank at its Surmont 1 Central Processing Facility in northern Alberta, underscoring the business unit's commitment to maintaining operational excellence and reliability.
The existing boiler feed water tank had been in service for 22 years since the facility’s construction; however, due to corrosion and wear, it was time for a replacement.
Boiler feed water tanks play an essential role in Surmont’s Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) process for bitumen extraction. These tanks store the water used for generating steam, which is then injected into the reservoir to heat the bitumen, making it easier to extract.
“I’m pleased to see how well the teams worked together to replace this tank on schedule,” said Graham Dunn, Capital Projects, who worked on the replacement and expressed his gratitude to those who carried out the job. “Their collaboration, adaptability and commitment to safety ensured a successful outcome.”
In February, the old tank was demolished, making way for a new one. The replacement tank was built to the same high standards and installed in the same location. The project team repurposed a pre-existing tank already on-site to function as a temporary boiler feed water tank during construction.
Various teams within the Canada business unit seamlessly worked alongside each other for this project, including Capital Projects and Operations and Asset Integrity. Their expertise and cooperation were instrumental in achieving the desired outcome.
The teams persevered through extreme weather — wind, rain and scorching heat — to safely complete the tank replacement. Through all this, they completed the project on schedule, wrapping up the replacement in August. From demolition to rebuilding, the process took approximately nine months.
As Surmont continues its operations, the new boiler feed water tank stands as a testament to effective teamwork and strategic planning.
