Industries
Midstream crane services
The right crane for the lift, with NCCCO-certified operators and riggers for midstream projects. Based in West Texas, working statewide.
Crane service for midstream projects
Midstream work is a core part of what Concho Crane Co. does. We bring the crane, the certified operator and the rigger for lifts on pipeline, gathering and gas plant jobs.
Lifts we take on include:
- Setting pipe and pipe spools
- Setting compressors, separators and skids
- Setting tanks and vessels
- Lifts at gas plants and compressor stations
Compressor station and gas plant crane lifts
Most midstream crane work happens at compressor stations, gas plants and along gathering lines. Compressor packages, coolers, scrubbers, dehydration units and meter skids arrive by truck and get set on foundations or pilings. Larger compressor packages often ship in pieces, so the main skid goes first and the cooler or other modules follow. Each piece comes off the trailer, swings into position and is held while the crew lines it up with the anchor bolts.
On pipeline and gathering jobs, the long runs in the ditch are usually handled by sidebooms. Cranes come in for the heavier and tighter picks: valve sets, pig launchers and receivers, fabricated headers and pipe spools at tie-ins. At an existing station the work goes on around live piping, so the crane spot, the swing path and the set-down area are planned with the operator's crew before the first lift.
- Review the plot plan, equipment weights and lift order before the job.
- Check in with the station operator, get the work permit, run the JSA.
- Find the buried line markers, then set mats and outriggers clear of them.
- Set skids, vessels and spools in the order the fitters need them.
- Hold spools and valves steady while flanges are lined up and bolted.
- Rig down, clear the pad and close out the permit.
Crane and operator for midstream projects
Every job goes out with the right crane for the lift, an NCCCO-certified operator and a rigger.
Before you call dispatch, pull these together so the crane and the rigging can be planned for your station or line:
- Equipment list with weights and dimensions from shipping docs
- Plot plan showing foundations and where trucks unload
- GPS location and lease road directions
- Operator permit, orientation and gas monitoring rules
- Buried lines and overhead power lines near the setup
- Target date and the order of the lifts
Rigging plans and safety plans for midstream projects
Midstream sites carry hazards a crane plan has to answer: pressurized lines under the pad, live gas at existing stations, overhead power lines feeding motors and controls, and caliche that turns soft after a rain. We write rigging plans and safety plans that cover the crane spot, outrigger loads, the rigging for each pick and where people stand while the load moves.
Tie-ins and lifts near operating equipment usually need the operator's work permit, gas checks and a clear answer on lifting over or near live piping. Sharing the operator's procedures early lets our plans follow the station's rules, so the paperwork is settled before the crane rolls onto location.
Book a crane
Call dispatch or send a lift request. Tell us the load, the location and the date.
FAQ
Questions about midstream crane services
Can a crane set equipment at a compressor station that is still running?
Yes, with planning. Most operators require a work permit, a site orientation and gas monitoring before the crane rigs up. Lifts are laid out to keep loads from passing over live piping where possible, and the crane spot is chosen around buried lines and the station layout. Send the operator's requirements with your lift request.
How are buried pipelines handled when a crane sets up on a midstream site?
Outriggers put heavy point loads into the ground, so lines under or near the setup area need to be located and flagged first. The crane is then positioned with its outriggers and mats clear of the marked lines. If a line can't be avoided, the setup is worked out in the rigging plan before anything is lifted.
Do you set pig launchers, receivers and valve sets?
Yes. Launchers, receivers, valve sets and fabricated spools are common crane picks on pipeline and gathering jobs. Launchers and receivers are long and often heavier at one end, so the rigging is set for the center of gravity. Send the weights, the drawings and the support locations, and the crane holds each piece while the fitters make up the flanges.
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