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PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: VECO and Nanuq Inc. team up on projects, training
Susan Braund Petroleum Directory Contributing Writer
The primary definition of welding is to unite pieces of metal or plastic together with heat and hammering or fusion. Secondarily it means to bring into close association or union.
A little of both is taking place in a teaming agreement between VECO Alaska Inc. and Nanuq Inc., as the two entities link up to partner on construction projects and provide training in various construction trades to Kuukpik shareholders. Nanuq is the construction arm of Kuukpik, the Nuiqsut Village Native Corp.
“Both parties act as independent contractors and conduct operations in their own name and in the name of various subsidiary companies, but benefit by pursuing work opportunities that utilize the resources of both companies,” says Tom Maloney, VECO vice president of business development.
“The mentor-protégé portion of the agreement provides an efficient vehicle for training,” reports Maloney, who, along with Lee Gabrielson of Nanuq, serves as designated relationship manager for mentor-protégé activities. Three welder trainees at work “Right now we have three trainees who are learning to be structural welders and fitters, a skill set that will maximize future shareholder opportunities in Anchorage or in the oil field. This is a solid career path with lots of opportunity,“ says Maloney. “Once we find the person with high interest who wants to learn … the support is in place.”
Three days a week the welder trainees, Thomas Napageak, Amanda Napageak and Edward Baker, spend several hours a day with a certified welder/instructor at the VECO fabrication plant. The other two days they “practice, practice, practice,” according to Baker.
“I like the program and the way everyone helps out. It’s a good, clean environment, plus, it’s nice to work inside!” says Thomas Napageak. “Everybody is willing to teach newcomers. It’s safe and we all watch out for each other.”
Amanda is in demand around the plant, according to the fabrication facility plant manager Mathew Schipper. “She’s been working in the paint shop this week and the painters don’t want to let her go, she’s such a good worker! Since our goal is cross-training, they may each work in fabrication, installation, painting, welding, electrical, instrumentation and tubing before they’re out of here.”
Amanda reports that she first developed her interest in welding in high school. “It’s a good job, good atmosphere. I’m getting a taste of welding, blasting, grinding — all the good stuff!”
Nanuq’s General Manager Scott Eliason says, “we’re working together to ensure that opportunities in engineering, construction and operations and maintenance are made available to Kuukpik shareholders and their immediate family members. Currently Nanuq is actively recruiting for additional fabrication and electrical candidates.”
Kuukpik President Thomas Napageak Sr. supports the agreement: “The strategy behind this arrangement is to have VECO mentor Nanuq Inc. into a more rounded contracting company capable of fulfilling the future needs of those companies operating in the North Slope and more importantly, those that are and will be operating on the lands owned by Kuukpik and those affecting the village of Nuiqsut.” Alpine work under way at fabrication shop Currently VECO and Nanuq are working on subcontractor projects at the VECO fabrication shop and Alpine. The facility is the perfect training ground for aspiring welders. Supportive, long-term welders and other skilled plant employees surround trainees as they receive real-time, on-the-job project experience.
“The plant, now located in Anchorage, opened to build truckable modules in the late ‘80s in the Matanuska Valley,” says Schipper. “Since that time we’ve built 400 truckable modules. We have multiple building disciplines here — structural, piping, electrical, welding, fitting — so the students have lots of exposure and gain a broader perspective. We are trying to make them highly marketable and also make them valuable to us. We want to train them to do the job and get them certified in structural steel welding.”
When Petroleum News visited the facility, crews were working on a fast track schedule to complete two, 20-foot wide, 78-foot long, 15.5-foot tall, 100-ton SWIX (seawater injection) pump modules by the first week of April. The first of the modules left the facility on March 22 headed for Kuparuk. The second module was scheduled to leave Anchorage a few days later.
Four additional Black Start generator modules, also part of the Alpine Capacity Expansion Project Phase 1, or ACX1, are under construction. The Black Start Solar turbine generators provide immediate start up from diesel during a blackout, allowing operators to bring power back online and bring systems back up. The 50-ton modules are 16 feet wide, 50 feet long and 14 feet tall.
“We were able to meet the aggressive schedule, and without safety incidents. There was good cooperation between the engineering client and the fabrication crew,” says Schipper. “And the trainees are progressing successfully. I’m confident they will be able to reach a skill level to be productive for the module install. They are all eagerly anticipating going up for the install!”
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