41073647•03/30/12


PRECISION GEOMATICS Stacey Lee


Precision Geomatics Inc. has the future of your well site all mapped out.


Since 1999, Precision Geomatics Inc. has specialized in serving the oil and gas industry, surveying anything from well sites and pipelines to access roads and major trunk line projects.


Business Development Manager Chad French says PG provides its customers with a full suite of mapping services.


“We are one of the industry leaders in implementing new ideas, like bringing colour to engineering and well site plans… which wasn’t really there in the past but is becoming mainstream.”


He adds that for customers who can’t get approval without having mapped their sites, the addition of colour makes a big difference.


“We try to make it as easy as possible for regulators to find the


information they need. We try to highlight the areas they will focus on.”


In order to serve the industry better PG has expanded beyond its central Alberta bases to enjoy success in Medicine Hat.


“We recently added a Saskatchewan land surveyor to service (southern Saskatchewan). There is definite need down there. With gas being as such right now the area has slowed a bit, but there is oil activity going on down there,” says French.


The new land surveyor, working from the Medicine Hat branch, is fully trained and capable of cross bordering to work in Saskatchewan.


Before moving forward with your next project visit www. precisiongeo.ca, or call 1-888- 470-4001 to find the nearest representative.


ADVANCE ENGINEERED PRODUCTS Stacey Lee


A prototype dubbed “Super Train” by its creators is the concept car of the tank trailer manufacturing industry and is expected to endanger the longevity of standard units.


Advance Engineered Products has announced the five-axle super-b ultra-light set that is expected to increase the payload of every load, increase safety and re-introduces the concept of fuel economy to the transportation industry.


The AEP team has spent the better part of two years, from paper to production, developing the concept that is the brainchild of former owner Doug Kee Sr.


Doug Kee Jr., manager of National Accounts, says that while the majority of early plans were mathematically based it was the creativity of his engineers that have produced an exponentially lighter tank trailer set.


“We took our design and changed it structurally, and used lighter weight materials . . . changing things like a suspension item or something structural. It was taking something that was traditionally steel and making it out of aluminum,” explained Kee, Jr.


A good example is the use of steel composite fenders. Kee says the 1,500-pound total weight reduction, 6.2 per cent, means operators will carry 1,500 additional pounds to market each and every time, thereby increasing profitability for producers.


By reducing the overall height of the unit, AEP engineers promise fewer rollovers, reducing risk of operator injury and ultimately insurance costs.


“These guys have reduced the height of the barrel and its centre of gravity… significantly reducing the ability for the trailers to go sideways or tip over. It’s all theoretical right now, but is a concept that has been well received all over the transportation industry.”


Reducing trailer height has additional benefits, when coupled with features that are relatively new to the tank trailer industry.


“We’ve added some aerodynamic components, and we’ve reshaped some structure and accessories to make the whole unit more aerodynamic."


Factoring in the weight reduction, increased safety offerings and aerodynamic redesign, Kee is certain consumers will enjoy some savings, but is hesitant to estimate that margin, saying testing of the prototype will need to be concluded first.


“If the aerodynamic features on this unit, just for argument's sake, save five per cent on fuel economy over a year, and these guys are spending $20,000 a month on fuel… over a 10-year period they’re saving $120,000. That is payback.”


Super Train has already been sold to Federated Co-Op and, Kee says, road testing of the unit is about to get underway.


“We have an agreement in place where we will be monitoring, 22 THE WESTERN CANADIAN PIPELINE | APRIL 2012


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