What’s spring break-up, and why should you care?
If you’re experienced in oil and gas, you’re all too familiar with the spring break-up blues! But newbies to the industry might wonder about this term that colleagues are throwing around. Spring break-up refers to the slowdown of the oil industry during the thaw cycle, which occurs when spring hits and roads soften. During this time, heavy traffic is often banned from certain roads to protect them from damage, while other roads become challenging to traverse due to melting snow and ice.
Issues brought about by spring break-up are not just nuisances. They are severe and can lead to impassible terrains, irreversible road damage, and a barrage of problems for oil and gas companies. Delays in productivity and full-site shutdowns due to accessibility issues ultimately translate into significant economic losses.
Although most Canadians were fortunate to experience a mild winter this year, spring break-up shouldn’t be taken lightly, even if it’s anticipated to be short-lived!
What are some of the problems of spring break-up?
- Weakened integrity of roads and damaged ground infrastructure because of heavy haul vehicles
- Increased road maintenance costs
- Significantly increased safety concerns as the melting of ice produces problematic driving conditions
- Reduced productivity as provincial and municipal governments often impose weight bans or restrictions on roads to limit various types of vehicles
- Operational shutdowns fuel job loss for contract workers who depend on a consistent stream of work
Tips for surviving Spring Break-up in Alberta
- Get your site access-matted early to prevent downtime on job sites. As spring-break up is peak-season for access matting, it’s wise to plan ahead and book early. Paradox offers an easy link to get started.
- Tune in to the Government of Alberta’s Road Restrictions and Bans page to keep abreast of which roads are open and closed.
- Check Permit Now Inc as a resource to get information in real-time as to where the thaw line is. Directly applicable to heavy equipment hauling, the thaw line is important to note as the closer your operations are to it, the higher the chances of the road integrity being compromised.
What are access mats, and how can Paradox help?
Access mats are portable platforms (made of wood and/or steel) that can be placed over and then removed from job sites, roads, pads, or just about any terrain. They provide temporary accessibility by providing safe and reliable passage over muddy, saturated, or unstable ground.
As a trusted matting provider, Paradox provides access solutions that combat the muddiest and most impassible terrains. With a full range of products and services, their access matting team works hands-on with clients to provide customized solutions for their access needs. Their matting complement includes:
- Wood access mats: ideal for supporting vehicles, construction machinery and equipment to keep them out of the mud and travelling smoothly over problematic terrain.
- Crane Mats:large timber mats with enough strength to stabilize the ground for cranes and other industrial equipment.
- Pipeline Crossings:Â engineered to support over 120,000 lbs with fluid line inlets.
- Composite Mats:these lightweight alternatives are bolted together to create an interlocking pad. They are more durable than wooden mats, reduce transport costs, and make cleaning easier.
- Traction Control Mats:designed with steel safety gratings, these mats provide unmatched traction for safe ascent and descent in treacherous areas.
For more information on how to thrive despite spring break-up, navigate unpredictable road conditions, and reduce hazards through access matting reach out to Paradox’s experienced team. Paradox provides safe, reliable access solutions to help companies maintain their operations during spring break-up and beyond!
Don’t let your productivity get stuck in the mud this spring. Get in touch with Paradox and keep your projects on solid ground. Contact them today.
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