Vacuum Excavation and the Oil and Gas Industry

If there is one specific type of industry that widely utilizes vacuum excavation, it would be the oil and gas industry. Vacuum excavation, particularly the use of hydro vacuum excavators, is probably the most preferred method for non destructive digging than any other type of digging method. In fact, most petrochemical and gas companies recognize hydro vacuum excavation as the only safe way to dig the ground. There are even states that mandate the method as the technology to use in explosive or sensitive environments that are related to the petrochemical industry, which include oil refineries, petrochemical or chemical manufacturing, fuel storage and distribution facilities, and power generation plants.

Now, the question is that why is vacuum excavation the digging method of choice for the oil and gas industry? As you can see, this type of field deals with the most dangerous substances around, where an accidental strike of their buried utilities can cause explosion and fire. Aside from that, the use of traditional digging equipment such as backhoes, mini diggers and trenchers are off-limits in the field because of their huge potential to damage underground services and the high risk to civil contractors, the general public, as well as aboveground assets nearby. On the side of work efficiency, vacuum excavation is also superior compared to all digging methods because the job can be accomplished quickly and easily with less manpower required.

Aside from non destructive excavation, the versatility of hydro vacuum excavators also allows them to be utilized in hydro vacuuming, tank cleaning, high pressure water jetting to a number of applications that are related to the industry. These services include daylighting or exposure of underground utilities and services, excavation for subsurface gas lines, as well as maintenance and installation pits for fuel storage facilities.

So, what are the key benefits of using vacuum excavation for all the projects where they are utilized in the oil and gas industry? These benefits include:

1. Contact-free, safe, explosion and spark free excavation and removal of underground utilities in explosive and flammable environments without heat generation in the process

2. No damage will be inflicted to the immediate surrounding areas and structures

3. Working in confined areas is possible

4. Precise and mess-free excavation

5. Increased occupational health and safety for civil contractors, customer projects and the public

6. Ecologically sound digging solution as there is no carbon footprint left by the equipment compared to conventional digging machines

7. Quicker and more efficient method of removal of earth and other substances

8. Very cost effective compared to mechanical digging methods

Because of the nature of high occupational risk involved in the oil and gas industry, companies should be very careful when hiring contractors for their vacuum and non destructive digging needs. One should hire a reputable company that has years of experience in providing excellent services as well as a great understanding of the client’s project needs, such as those concerning safety requirements, their project timelines and budget constraints, as well as the company’s overall objectives.

Yunz Contracting is a civil contractor company that is a recognized expert in providing non destructive digging services for all construction and utility industries. Visit our website to find out how non destructive digging can benefit the digging requirements of your next project.

Vacuum Excavation: If You Can’t Dig It, Vacuum It

One benefit of technology to the construction industry is the introduction of vacuum excavation, a non-destructive digging practice. The building sector has encountered many accidents which resulted from faulty trenching and excavation works, made worse by the old methods they utilised. Conventional excavation methods – the use of huge machinery and mechanical and manual tools – have long been proven not only to be dangerous but also to be ineffective, stressful and time-consuming. Vacuum excavation is indeed a boon to an industry that has suffered many disasters.

Many construction and building contractors are now advocating the use of vacuum excavation to perform safe and precise digging works. Cost effective, non-destructive and providing a neat work result, vacuum excavation makes use of pressurised air or water to break up any surface or ground. The vacuum equipment is mounted on a truck, a vehicle called suction excavator which also have a hose to suction any dirt or debris and put them in a storage tank for later disposal or even backfilling.

There are many considerations why many contractors are ditching conventional yet dangerous digging methods for a safe alternative like vacuum excavation. Contractors are always for safe and excellent work results without putting workers at risks. If it is possible to keep personnel out of danger, then non-destructive digging is also possible, thanks to vacuum excavation. The industry now has an alternative.

Huge machinery and mechanical and hand-held tools are still used in some building sites, but they are not always recommended and feasible near public places, roads and limited spaces. There are few factors in which contractors will have to rule out the use of old excavation methods and shift to non-destructive digging:

• Conventional excavation practices are a big no-no in high traffic areas as the presence of huge vehicles can worsen traffic especially if the road is not wide enough.
• Noise from the use of equipment, especially drills, can disturb the peace in neighbourhoods and especially near homes for the elderly and hospitals.
• Beneath the ground lies a sophisticated network of utilities including water and gas pipes, electric utility wires and telecommunication cables. Equipment and tools like backhoes, pole punchers, mechanical drills, shovels and pick axes can easily damage or strike them, thus disrupting utility services, increasing risk hazards and paying for damages done on the buried facilities.
• Certain areas are inaccessible to huge equipment.

The application of vacuum excavation will minimise or eliminate these factors above. Contractors can use vacuum excavation in three instances:

• For locating underground utilities (potholing) and exposing them (daylighting) – Contractors will be require to pinpoint the location or presence of utilities before they are to commence any digging activities. By locating, they are to protect it too from damage. Sadly, their use of huge equipment and mechanical tools brought them to damage what they were tasked to protect.
• For trenching and excavating works – Created for this purposes, vacuum excavation needs no further explanation – except that it provides excellent work results.
• Cleaning – The non-destructive digging practice really goes beyond its usefulness. The vacuum excavator can also be used to clean clogged drains and sewers, wash surfaces and other for other applications which pressurised water or air can be useful.

For many contractors, a non-destructive digging practice like vacuum excavation can serve multi-purposes. In the other aspect, it minimises the worries of contractors who are tired of handling accident situations at construction sites. If you cannot dig it, then vacuum it.

How can non-destructive digging like vacuum excavation serve your trenching needs? Please contact Yunz Contracting today.