After a spectacular display of teamwork, BCI is shining a spotlight on an exceptional team of staff and contractors who embarked on a remarkable programme of work involving tidal bore drilling and installing of monitoring equipment.
Their work exemplified the spirit of collaboration across various departments, including projects, operations, health and safety, and environmental, along with invaluable contributions from contractors at Soil Mechanics and Q H & M Birt.
As a result of their relentless dedication, this team was presented with the Rock Star Award, a fortnightly accolade recognising outstanding individuals and teams who embody BCI’s core values.
The journey began with the ambitious goal of completing the second round of tidal bore drilling and the installation of monitors by the end of October, a task complicated by environmental approvals, location of the bores being in a tidal zone, and a tight timeline.
That goal included installing the final 14 bores safely in a network of 22 bores within two weeks, coinciding with spring tides up to 4.9 metres and scorching temperatures.
The environmental and weather conditions proved to be challenging from the very start, with two Tinger ATV machines becoming severely bogged on the first day and one of them, the drill rig, suffering a broken drive belt.
The team, to their credit, continued to assess the risks and work out different ways of achieving the bore installation safely together.
With multiple impacts through the works programme and the need to change, no task was undertaken without a through risk assessment and review to ensure the safety of all involved.
BCI Senior Environment Advisor Emma Dobinson said these logistical complexities were met with a resolute attitude.
“When equipment broke down, it was an all-hands-on deck type situation to ensure the bores could be safely installed by the deadline,” Ms Dobinson said.
Team members quickly sourced a replacement belt, which was expedited to Karratha while the Tinger was stripped down in anticipation of the belt's arrival, and an alternative drill was identified in the form of a Land Cruiser-mounted unit.
“The team grabbed the bull by the horns and continued to battle against the odds to get the drilling programme safely completed,” said BCI Operations Manager Alan Perry.
“After four to five days of unfavourable conditions, perseverance and a genuine team determined to complete the task, all tidal bores were drilled, and monitors were installed safely.”
At the same time, the gas corridor rock armour was completed, the Primary Seawater Intake repaired with over 1000 tonnes of rock and the gas corridor MDR closed out, all before lunch the day after completing the works.
“This is unheard of, what a special team to be part of,” said BCI Project Director, Tim Deighton.