Precision Scanning for Industrial Facility Moves

SCAN EXISTING OIL AND GAS FACILITY

Tackling Unique Challenges in Land Surveying

Surveying is all about problem-solving. Each project presents a new puzzle, requiring surveyors to adapt, innovate, and find the best solutions. Whether it's boundary work, topographic surveys, or advanced 3D scanning, our field demands flexibility and technical expertise.

Recently, I was approached by a client who had acquired an inactive oil and gas facility. Their objective was to relocate the entire operation to a different site for better efficiency. To do so, they needed precise measurements of all existing infrastructure—including pipelines, support structures, and concrete foundations—to facilitate an accurate and seamless reconstruction.

CAT-WALK-SURVEY
Topo and 3D Scan of WTP
CAT-WALK-SURVEY

Survey Supporting Catwalk Design

CAT-WALK-SURVEY

Survey Supporting Catwalk Design

OIL-AND-GAS-FACILITY
Existing Dormant Oil & Gas Facility

Relocating an Industrial Site: The Technical Hurdles

Moving an entire facility is a complex undertaking. Every structural element must be carefully documented to ensure that disassembly, transport, and reassembly proceed without errors. Traditional survey methods, while effective in many scenarios, would have been too slow and lacked the level of detail required. To overcome these limitations, I determined that a high-resolution 3D terrestrial scan was the best solution.

Executing a 3D Terrestrial Survey

I first established control using standard land surveying principles to ensure accuracy and consistency. This provided a stable reference framework for the scan data, minimizing positional errors and ensuring that all scans aligned correctly. By establishing a reliable control network first, I could confidently register multiple scans together, producing an accurate and georeferenced point cloud that the client could use for precise measurements and relocation planning.
Survey-Total-Station
Total Station for Control Points
SCAN-TARGET
Tilting Scanner Target
SPHERICAL-SCANNING-TARGET
Scanner Sphere
The scanning process involved 81 individual laser scan set-ups, capturing every detail of the facility, from large structural components to small pipeline connections. The resulting point cloud data provided a georeferenced digital model, mapping not just dimensions but also the spatial relationships of the facility’s assets.

Key Advantages of 3D Scanning for Facility Relocation:

  • Deliver millimeter-level accuracy – Nothing was left undocumented, ensuring complete data for relocation.
  • Map intricate infrastructure layouts – Particularly important for aligning pipeline supports and foundations in the new location.
  • Create a digital twin for planning – Engineers could virtually assess potential challenges before any physical work began.

From Scan to Actionable Insights

Once the scans were processed, I generated detailed reports and 3D visualizations, allowing the client to:

  • Catalog all pipes, equipment, and structural supports.
  • Develop a step-by-step disassembly and reinstallation plan.
  • Minimize unexpected delays by identifying potential conflicts in advance.

Additionally, a set of precise survey drawings was created to guide the reconstruction process. Once site grading was completed at the new location, we staked out the positions for new piers and foundations, ensuring that all components were accurately placed during reassembly. The project was successfully completed, with the facility reconstructed precisely according to the scan data.

REPURPOSED-OIL-AND-GAS-SITE
Repurposed Oil and Gas (Industrial) Site

The Future of Industrial Surveying with 3D Technology

This project reaffirmed the value of modern surveying techniques in complex industrial applications. Without 3D terrestrial scanning, manually measuring and documenting each component would have been labor-intensive and prone to errors. Instead, the client benefited from a data-rich, highly accurate digital model, streamlining the entire relocation process.

Surveying is evolving, and projects like this demonstrate the growing importance of precise, technology-driven solutions. Whether it’s site relocations, infrastructure mapping, or large-scale industrial projects, utilizing the right tools and expertise makes all the difference.

Unlock the Power of 3D Scanning for Your Next Project

Planning a facility relocation or complex industrial survey? Leverage high-precision 3D scanning for seamless, data-driven results. Contact us today to discuss your project!

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Please fill out the form below and provide as much detail regarding questions, and or projects as you can.

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