Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal

A seamless infrastructure solution for Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal

Background

A consortium of eight Australian and International resources companies, Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd (WICET) operates a recently opened coal-loading terminal in Gladstone, Queensland. This terminal was built due to the increasing coal storage and ship-loading demands on the region, plus the fact that the existing Gladstone facility was nearing its capacity. WICET enables an additional 27 million tonnes of coal to be exported from the Port of Gladstone each year, with the capability to export up to 120 million tonnes per annum when fully developed.

The Challenge

WICET required a turnkey technology solution for the new terminal – one that delivered a highly available network, as well as robust and scalable ICT infrastructure to support critical applications. The main challenge was ensuring there was no disruption across various construction contractors and zones, with zero downtime or interference to the construction critical path. Data^#3 was chosen to implement the solution for the following reasons:

• A proven track record in delivering successful mining and resources ICT solutions
• The ability to act as a single ICT interface for project, operational and IM teams
• Project Staging and Factory Acceptance Testing at an offsite Integration Facility to minimise onsite interference
• The ability to coordinate and collaborate with multiple construction contractors
• The implementation of a flexible and low cost support model and advanced monitoring and management systems to minimise operational and onsite support effort.

The Solution

Data^#3 proposed an end-to-end  technology solution that included a site-wide communications network (wired and wireless), state-of-the-art information systems platforms, and supporting  infrastructure for manufacturing and process control environments. The solution used the following technology:

• Cisco Catalyst, Wireless and Nexus Networking
• Cisco Collaboration
• Cisco Security
• Cisco Monitoring
• VMware, Microsoft and HP Platforms
• AFC Fibre and Copper Technologies

In order to minimise onsite disruption and ensure project milestones were met, the solution was delivered in the following stages:

1. Design, procurement, staging and installation of Cisco LAN and WLAN
2. Termination and testing of copper and fibre cabling to ensure end-to-end network operation and single point of accountability
3. Design, procurement, configuration and operation of virtualised server and storage platforms for IT, mechanical, power, CCTV and Process Control applications
4. Ongoing support and optimisation services

The Outcome

WICET now benefits from a highly available network, plus a robust and scalable ICT platform that leverages world-leading Cisco and associated vendor capabilities. The project was completed on  time and under contracted budget, with zero disruption to the construction critical path. Data^#3’s offsite warehouse, configuration and integration facilities for staging and factory acceptance testing meant the risk of technical failure during commissioning was reduced. Both Data^#3 and WICET were then able to utilise the network pre-completion to test and commission operational  systems for Information Management, Process Control and Manufacturing Execution.

Data^#3 achieved zero related Work Health Safety, quality and technical defect notices over the 30-month engagement. The network was commissioned and handed over in one week, with onsite training, documentation and early life support provided during the go-live period.

Additionally, Data^#3 negotiated and project managed multiple suppliers and specialist sub-contractors in a construction context, without construction disruption.

“The Data^#3 Project Team delivered the outcome WICET Engineers had planned. They became a valuable extension of both our project and operational teams. This enabled us to focus on delivering critical applications,” says Rob Davies, Area Manager, WICET.

“Data^#3’s deliverables were of outstanding quality and their documentation and quality set a benchmark for the project.”

Download the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal.